Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly via video conference at UN headquarters in New York on September 24, 2026. (Credit: Angela Weiss/AFP)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who was denied a US visa to attend the UN General Assembly in person, said Thursday that Israeli policies were no longer merely undermining the two-state solution but were threatening “the very life and existence” of the Palestinian people, AFP reported.
“The danger is no longer limited to undermining the two-state solution and preventing the creation of a Palestinian state. It has now reached the point of threatening the very life and existence of the Palestinian people in their homeland,” Abbas said in a pre-recorded video address to the UN General Assembly.
'Logistical obstacles' for Palestinian elections
Speaking from Ramallah, Abbas also denounced “the accusations and justifications” used to deny him a visa to travel to New York.
“We affirm that we have fulfilled our obligations, carried out a comprehensive national reform program, and respected our commitment to international law by renouncing violence and terrorism,” he said.
Abbas further emphasized that the Palestinians were heading toward parliamentary elections on Nov. 28, "which will be followed by the completion of the renewal of the Palestinian National Council institutions, and then by Palestinian presidential elections."
In a letter sent in June 2025 to French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Palestinian Authority President had pledged to hold legislative and presidential elections.
On Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged that these elections take place, amid international concerns that the vote might be postponed — particularly due to logistical challenges regarding the delivery of voting materials to the Gaza Strip or the granting of visas for international observers in the West Bank, a measure notably sought by the European Union.
Abbas also stated that the reform of the education system was continuing "based on international standards and in cooperation with UNESCO, in order to promote the values of peace, tolerance, and respect for others, while preserving the national identity and rights" of his people.
