Mahmud Abbas speaks virtually to UNGA amid US opposition and international push for West Bank stability
NEW YORK — Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas will address the United Nations General Assembly virtually on Thursday, marking a key moment in international efforts to advance Middle East peace.
The speech comes just three days after several Western nations recognized a state of Palestine, highlighting growing global support for Palestinian statehood.
US Opposition and Diplomatic Tensions
Under the Trump administration, Abbas was barred from traveling to New York for the UN gathering, as the United States adamantly rejected Palestinian statehood. Despite this, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved Abbas’s video address, allowing him to present his message to world leaders.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continued to oppose a Palestinian state, with far-right cabinet members threatening to annex the West Bank, aiming to undermine prospects for Palestinian independence.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that, while he disagrees with Trump on statehood, both leaders oppose annexation. “The Europeans and Americans have the same position,” Macron said, referring to a meeting with Trump.
Peace Plans and International Support
US envoy Steve Witkoff, in meetings with Arab and Muslim leaders, outlined a 21-point plan for ending the conflict, which he said addresses “Israeli concerns as well as the concerns of all the neighbors in the region.”
Trump and his team expressed hope for a breakthrough in the coming days. Macron confirmed that the plan incorporates elements of a French proposal, including Hamas disarmament and deployment of an international stabilization force.
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto indicated that his country is prepared to contribute at least 20,000 troops to support regional peacekeeping efforts.
Abbas’s Role and Calls for Reform
Abbas’s Palestinian Authority currently controls limited areas in the West Bank under the Oslo peace accords. His party, Fatah, is a rival of Hamas, which controls Gaza. In his UN address, Abbas condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and called on Hamas to disarm and cooperate with the Palestinian Authority.
European powers, including France, have stressed that the Palestinian Authority requires reforms to effectively govern and participate in peace initiatives.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Friday, underscoring the stark contrasts in positions between the two sides.