Abbas calls to end US arms to Israel in UN Address

Palestinian leader Abbas calls for halt to arms deliveries to Israel in UN General Assembly speech

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas calls to end US arms to Israel in UN address on 26 September 2024 in light of the ongoing conflict in the West Bank and Gaza.

He condemned U.S. actions, including vetoing a Security Council resolution aimed at condemning Israel’s military response to Hamas, labeling the situation as “genocide” and calling for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian assistance for Palestinians.

Abbas expressed a desire for the Palestinian Authority to gain control over Gaza post-conflict, a position rejected by Israel. In response, Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon criticized Abbas for not mentioning Hamas’s role in escalating the violence and accused him of hypocrisy regarding funding for terrorism.

Abbas reiterated his call for peace and the release of prisoners on both sides while advocating for a peace conference in Madrid to address the conflict.

Key Concepts

• Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged the international community to stop the flow of weapons to Israel to help end the ongoing conflict.
• Abbas condemned U.S. military support for Israel and criticized its veto of a Security Council resolution against Israel’s actions.
• He described the situation in Gaza as a “genocide” and called for an immediate cessation of violence.
• Abbas emphasized the global community’s responsibility in addressing the humanitarian crisis affecting Palestinians.
• Following a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, Israel’s military response has led to significant casualties in Gaza.
• Abbas expressed a desire for the Palestinian Authority to gain full control over the Gaza Strip, which Israel has rejected.
• Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon criticized Abbas for not mentioning Hamas and accused him of funding terrorism.
• Abbas reiterated his call for a ceasefire and condemned civilian casualties, regardless of ethnicity.
• The article highlights Abbas’s call for a peace conference in Madrid to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Other notable speakers at the UN General Assembly included Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib and Sudanese military leader General Abdel-Fattah Burhan.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday (September 26) called on the international community, especially the United States, to stop sending weapons to Israel in order to stop the bloody conflict in the West Bank and Gaza.

Speaking at the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly, Abbas singled out the United States for sending weapons to Israel and vetoing a Security Council condemnation of Israel’s nearly year-long war against Hamas militants in Gaza.

“Stop this crime. Stop now. Stop killing children and women. Stop the genocide. Stop sending weapons to Israel,” Abbas said. “This madness cannot continue. The whole world is responsible for what is happening to our people in Gaza and the West Bank.”

He said the United States, by vetoing the Security Council vote, was effectively saying, “‘No, the fighting will continue.'”

The war was sparked by a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 last year that killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 41,000 people in Gaza, according to Hamas health officials, though the Israeli military says the death toll includes thousands of Hamas fighters.

Abbas said the United States “provided Israel with lethal weapons that it used to kill thousands of innocent civilians, children and women. This further encouraged Israel to continue its aggression.” He also claimed that Israel “does not deserve” to be a member of the United Nations. Abbas said

that after the war, the Palestinian Authority should exercise full control over the Gaza Strip. Israel has rejected that position.

Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, criticized Abbas for not mentioning the word “Hamas” once in his 26-minute speech. He noted that the militant group played a key role in sparking the conflict.

“The Palestinian Authority under his leadership pays salaries to terrorists who kill Israelis: Abbas pays more to those who kill more,” Danon said. “He only talks about a peaceful solution when he stands at the podium of the United Nations.”

“Nothing could be more hypocritical and untrue,” Danon said. “Abbas’ legacy is a long history of weakness in the face of terrorism and hatred.”

While not mentioning Hamas, Abbas said: “From the first day, I stressed the need to stop the war immediately. I condemned the killing of civilians, no matter who they are, no matter which side or ethnicity they belong to. I called for the release of prisoners and detainees on both sides.”

Abbas’ speech to the General Assembly came a week before his call for a peace conference in Madrid to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Talks to reach a ceasefire

in Gaza have been deadlocked for months. The General Assembly also heard from Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib on Thursday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to speak on Friday. Israel has carried out air strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon for several days.

Also speaking Thursday were Sudanese military leader General Abdel-Fattah Burhan and Edgard Leblanc Fils, the head of Haiti’s transitional presidential council.

Other speakers scheduled for Thursday include European Council President Charles Michel, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Kenyan President William Ruto, Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou and Micronesian President Wesley Simina.