Mahmoud Abbas

“ Ladies and gentlemen, in the face of all that Israel is doing, systematically destroying the two-state solution, it has become necessary, in order to save this solution, to call on the Member States of your esteemed organization, each State, in its national capacity, to take practical steps on the basis of the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy and international law. I also call on the States that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to declare their recognition and for the State of Palestine to be admitted to full membership in the United Nations. ”

“ We are relieved that the peoples of the world and many of its countries have begun to believe our narrative and sympathize with it, after having been misled for decades. We thank all those who contribute to sharing this narrative and all who support and sympathize with it. We also thank people of conscience everywhere in this world who today are standing up for Palestinian rights and support our people’s struggle for freedom and independence. ”

“ Ladies and Gentlemen, My message today to the Israelis is that this hideous occupation against us will not last regardless of their ambitions and delusions, because the Palestinian people are remaining on their land, which they have inhabited for thousands of years, generation after generation, as again confirmed by a recent UNESCO resolution regarding the city of Jericho. They cannot leave their land, and if anyone must leave it must be the occupiers and usurpers. ”

“ For our part, we will persist with our pursuit of accountability and justice at the relevant international bodies against Israel because of the continued Israeli occupation of our land, and the crimes that have been committed and are still being committed against us, as well as against both Britain and America for their roles in the fateful Balfour Declaration, and against everyone who had a role in the catastrophe and tragedy of our people, calling for acknowledgment, apology, reparations and compensation in accordance with international law. ”

“ There is a specialized committee to develop the justice sector in Palestine. Civil society is also playing its role in adding vitality to our political system. All that remains for us is to hold democratic general elections, as conducted in 1996, 2005, and 2006. But the Israeli government is obstructing this by its decision to prevent elections from being held in East Jerusalem, inspite of the significant intervention of many countries, as well as regional and international organizations, to enable our Palestinian people in Jerusalem to vote and run in these elections. ”

“ I must tell you that as long as we continue to suffer under the abhorrent Israeli occupation, we will continue to need financial assistance from the international community, in addition to the crucial provision of financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) . We are thankful to the international community for the support it has given us to build our State and our economy, and we look forward to the continuation of this support until the occupation ends and we are able to rely on ourselves. ”

“ The occupying Power is also feverishly digging tunnels under and around Al-Aqsa Mosque, threatening its collapse, or the collapse of parts of it, which will lead to an explosion with untold consequences. We have repeatedly warned against transforming the political conflict into a religious conflict, for which Israel will bear full responsibility. ”

“ The occupation government also persists violating the City of Jerusalem and its people, assaulting our Islamic and Christian sacred sites, and violating the historical and legal status of the holy sites, especially Al-Aqsa Mosque, which international legitimacy has recognized as an exclusive place of worship for Muslims alone, including Bab Al-Rahma prayer hall and Al-Buraq Wall, according to a report by the League of Nations in 1930. ”

“ Ladies and Gentlemen, We are managing our affairs under extremely difficult and complex circumstances as a result of the restrictions that are being imposed on us by the occupying Power, which prevents us from accessing our natural resources, unlawfully withholds our money, and continues its siege on our people in the Gaza Strip, with the consequent exacerbation of the suffering of our people. ”

“ Ladies and Gentlemen, Our State institutions are engaged in a comprehensive development and reform process, and in this context, they are cooperating with international institutions and with our partners in the region and the world. We have recently held local elections, elections for institutions, federations, unions, and others. ”

“ Moreover, Israel bears full responsibility, through its control over all the crossing points and dividing lines between the occupied West Bank and its surroundings, and for the deliberate spread of weapons, drugs, and criminal killings taking place in Arab cities inside Israel, part of which is spilling over into our areas, creating a great threat to the societal security of Palestinians everywhere in our territory. ”

“ I also call on your organization and the Secretary-General to act to implement the resolutions to provide protection for the Palestinian people from the constant aggressions of the occupation army and the terrorist Israeli settlers, as well as to support our approach to the international courts and bodies with jurisdiction, because the current situation is intolerable and untenable. ”