Full Breakdown
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Addresses UN General Assembly via Video, Calls for Action Against Israeli Policies
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Video Address and Visa Denial
On September 24 2026, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a prerecorded speech from his office in Ramallah to the United Nations General Assembly after the United States denied visas to him and other senior Palestinian officials for the second consecutive year. He urged the international community to implement a two-state solution based on international law and announced that the Palestinian Authority plans legislative elections on November 28—the first such vote in two decades.
Background & Context
The U.S. State Department said the visa measures were taken “in accordance with current laws.” Abbas’s speech came amid ongoing war in Gaza, continued settlement expansion in the West Bank, and a U.S.–backed “Board of Peace” that proposes a 20-point plan for Gaza administration. The Palestinian Authority, created under the Oslo accords, administers limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank and has not held presidential or legislative elections since 2006.
Data & Statistics
- The Gaza Health Ministry, cited by the Associated Press, reports 73,922 Palestinians killed in Israel’s offensive.
- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency estimates more than 1,000 Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank this year.
Official Statements & Responses
- The U.S. State Department stated that visa denials were a lawful response to the Palestinian Authority’s “failure to implement reforms” and “activities that undermine peace prospects.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “We will not leave our homeland. We will not accept displacement. And we will not allow anyone to decide our future on our behalf,” — Mahmoud Abbas
- “The Palestinian people face one of the most dangerous times in its history,” — Mahmoud Abbas
- “We warn you today: Do not allow another Nakba to occur,” — Mahmoud Abbas
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact Gaza death toll: the Associated Press cites 73,922 deaths, while Middle East Eye references just under 74,000 identified bodies. Both figures are presented without independent verification. The U.S. asserts that the visa sanctions comply with “current laws,” but no judicial review is cited.
What’s Next
The legislative elections on November 28 will test the PA’s reform agenda and its ability to mobilize voters after two decades without polls. International observers note that the transitional period outlined in the Board of Peace is slated to end in 2027, raising questions about the future governance of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.