Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Abbas Warns Israeli Policies Threaten Palestinian Existence, Seeks US Engagement
Mahmoud Abbas is the president of the Palestinian Authority.
He spoke to the United Nations using a recorded video from Ramallah.
He said Israeli policies and settlement expansion threaten Palestinians and their land.
He also said the situation in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem should be treated as connected.
Abbas criticized the United States for denying him a visa to attend in New York.
The United States said Palestinian groups had not met some of their commitments, but Abbas disagreed.
He asked countries to recognize Palestine and support a two-state solution.
He also said Palestinians were preparing for elections beginning with legislative voting on November 28.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the United Nations that Israeli policies threaten the existence of Palestinians and the two-state solution.
Abbas accused Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, of fragmenting Palestinian territory.
Speaking by prerecorded video after a US visa denial, Abbas called for dialogue with Washington and faster implementation of a Gaza peace plan.
The United States said the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organisation had failed to meet commitments, while Abbas rejected the accusations.
Abbas said 160 countries recognize Palestine and announced plans for legislative elections on November 28, followed by further institutional and presidential elections.
- Who
- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the United States, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
- What
- Abbas warned the United Nations that Israeli policies threaten Palestinian existence, criticized the US visa denial, called for renewed diplomatic action, and discussed Palestinian elections.
- When
- Thursday, September 24; legislative elections were announced for November 28.
- Where
- The 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, addressed by Abbas through a prerecorded video from Ramallah.
- Why
- Abbas sought action to protect Palestinian territory and people, preserve the two-state solution, advance a Gaza peace plan, and support recognition of Palestine.
Palestinian Position
United States Position
Visa denial and commitments
Palestinian Position
Abbas called the visa denial unlawful and said the Palestinian side had completed reforms, rejected violence and terrorism, and honored its commitments to international law and peace.
United States Position
The US State Department said the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organisation had failed to meet their commitments, citing efforts to internationalize the conflict and allegations of glorifying terrorism.
International legal action
Palestinian Position
Abbas rejected US accusations concerning Palestinian actions involving the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice.
United States Position
The US cited Palestinian actions involving those international tribunals as part of its justification for the visa restrictions.
US diplomatic role
Palestinian Position
Abbas urged Washington to lift restrictions, resume dialogue with Palestinian leadership, and support efforts to implement a two-state solution.
United States Position
The articles describe the US as continuing to play a central role in efforts concerning future political arrangements involving Israel and the Palestinians, but do not provide a direct response to Abbas's appeal.
- Speaker
- Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority
- UN address
- Abbas spoke by prerecorded video from Ramallah after being denied a US visa
- Main warning
- Abbas said Israeli policies threaten the life and existence of Palestinians on their homeland
- Settlements
- Abbas said settlement expansion in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, fragments Palestinian territory
- US position
- The US State Department said the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organisation had failed to meet their commitments
- Recognition
- Abbas said 160 countries have recognized Palestine
- Elections
- Abbas said legislative elections were planned for November 28, followed by Palestinian National Council and presidential elections
