Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas Denounces Gaza War, Reaffirms Two-State Solution

September 25, 2026

United Nations: Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday denounced what he described as a “genocidal war” in Gaza by Israel while reaffirming his commitment to a two-state solution that recognises Israel’s right to exist in peace.

Abbas Calls for Palestinian State Alongside Israel

Abbas said Palestinians seek “a democratic state that respects the rule of law and human rights, a non-militarised state that lives in security and peace alongside the state of Israel.”

He accused Israel of waging what he called “a genocidal war” that has resulted in an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The conflict followed the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel, which left more than 1,000 people dead, while the subsequent Israeli military campaign has killed about 70,000 people in Gaza, according to the figures cited in his address.

Abbas also alleged that Israel was seeking to force Palestinians out of the West Bank through what he called “a malicious colonial scheme”. He firmly rejected the possibility of Palestinians leaving their homeland, saying, “We will not leave our homeland.”

Abbas Addresses UN General Assembly Via Video

Denied a US visa to attend the session in person, Abbas addressed the UN General Assembly through a video appearance, with his speech projected on two large screens before world leaders.

His address came hours before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to speak at the Assembly. Outside the UN headquarters, rival groups of demonstrators gathered in support of Israel or in condemnation of its actions, amid heightened security.

Palestinian President Welcomes Trump’s Gaza Initiative

Abbas welcomed US President Donald Trump’s initiative to establish a Board of Peace involving several Muslim countries to help rebuild Gaza following the disarming of Hamas and Israel’s withdrawal.

However, he said the initiative had yet to produce results on the ground. Abbas also condemned terrorism and anti-Semitism, stating that Palestinians “hate it”, and called on the international community to remain committed to the two-state solution.

He warned that Israel’s actions were threatening not only efforts to establish a Palestinian state but also the future of the Palestinian people in their homeland.