Mahmoud Abbas addresses UN General Assembly by video and announces Palestinian legislative elections
24 September 2026
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the general debate of the UN General Assembly's 81st session on Thursday, 24 September 2026, by pre-recorded video after his delegation was, for the second consecutive year, denied US visas. He warned that Israeli policies threaten the existence of the Palestinian people and urged the world not to allow "another Nakba". He called for the reunification of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, opposed the E1 Settlement Plan and sought implementation of Security Council resolution 2334 on halting settlement activity. He said legislative elections will be held on 28 November, followed by renewal of the Palestinian National Council and presidential elections. He thanked the 160 states that have recognised the State of Palestine and called for full UN membership, and demanded the release of more than $6 billion in Palestinian funds withheld by Israel.
In plain words
Nakba — Arabic for 'catastrophe'; the mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
E1 Settlement Plan — An Israeli settlement plan east of Jerusalem that would separate East Jerusalem from the West Bank.
Resolution 2334 UN Security Council resolution 2334 (2016) — A resolution stating that Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory have no legal validity.