Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas claimed the PA is prepared to renounce terrorism and make peace with Israel in his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday.
"We amended our National Charter, and we rejected violence and terrorism, and we adopted a culture of peace," Abbas said in his speech. "We made all our efforts to build the institutions of a modern Palestinian state that lives side by side in peace and security with Israel."
"But Israel did not adhere to the signed agreements, and has worked systematically on undermining them."
The address was given to the UNGA over video as the United States denied Abbas and other Palestinians visas ahead of the assembly over longstanding US and Israeli allegations that the PA and PLO had failed to repudiate terrorism while pushing for “unilateral recognition” of a Palestinian state.
The speech comes amid a renewed debate over Palestinian statehood recognition amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. France, the UK, Canada, and Portugal have recently recognized the country's statehood, with several other countries expected to follow suit.
Abbas thanked the countries that have already recognized a Palestinian state, and urged all those who have not yet done so to follow suit, saying that "our people will not forget this noble position."
Israel's main ally, the United States, has long said it supports the goal of a Palestinian state, but only after the Palestinians and Israel agree on terms for a two-state solution at negotiations.
In his speech, Abbas called for the "release of all hostages and prisoners on both sides," and for the end of the ongoing war.
He also called for the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, and for a full IDF withdrawal from the Strip, as well as the "rejection of the plans for displacement and putting an end to settlement" and Israeli annexation of the West Bank. He also asked for the release of "Palestinian tax money" currently held by Israel.
Abbas stated that the PA should take absolute governance over the Gaza Strip, effectively removing Hamas from power.
"We want a modern civilian state that is free of violence, weapons, and extremism, one that respects law, human rights, and invests in people development, technology, and education, not in wars and conflict," he said, "And we are extremely keen to empower women and the youth," he went on.
"Jerusalem is the jewel of our heart and our eternal capital. We will not leave our homeland. We will not leave our lands," Abbas ended. "Our people will remain rooted like the olive trees, firm as the rocks, we will rise from under the rubble to rebuild and to send from our Blessed and holy land the messages of hope and the sound of truth and right."
Palestine at the UN
A delegation representing the State of Palestine has observer status at the United Nations, but it does not have voting rights. No matter how many countries recognize Palestinian independence, full UN membership would require approval by the Security Council, where Washington has a veto.
Palestinian diplomatic missions worldwide are controlled by the Palestinian Authority, which is recognized internationally as representing the Palestinian people.
The PA, led by Abbas, exercises limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank under agreements with Israel. It issues Palestinian passports and runs the Palestinian health and education systems.
Hamas has administered the Gaza Strip since 2007, when it drove out Abbas's Fatah movement after a brief civil war.
Amichai Stein and Reuters contributed to this report.