Abbas to Address UN Amid Visa Clash and Calls for Ceasefire and Hamas Disarmament
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is set to address the United Nations General Assembly via video after his U.S. visa was revoked. The U.N. recently voted in a 145-5 decision to allow Abbas to speak at the event, despite the U.S. accusing the PA of undermining peace efforts. The U.S. denied entry to approximately 80 Palestinians, including Abbas. Abbas, in his speech, called for an immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to surrender all weapons to the PA.
He expressed condemnation of both the Israeli occupation and Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023. The U.S. State Department reiterated that the PA must clearly repudiate terrorism before it can be seen as a peace partner. The PA, established in 1994 following the Oslo Accords but largely sidelined since 2005, remains active in the West Bank. Israel has criticized the push for Palestine statehood as a ‘charade,’ warning of potential consequences for recognition moves.