Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas is set to deliver a virtual speech to the United Nations on Thursday, as global debate continues over Israel’s plans for the West Bank and the push for Palestinian statehood.
The 89-year-old leader will address the UN General Assembly just days after several Western countries formally recognized Palestine as a state. This comes despite strong opposition from the United States during former President Donald Trump’s administration, which not only rejected Palestinian statehood but also took the unusual step of barring Abbas and his top officials from traveling to New York for past UN meetings.
To ensure his message is heard, the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to allow Abbas to speak through a video address.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly ruled out the creation of a Palestinian state. Members of his far-right cabinet have gone further, threatening to annex parts of the West Bank in an effort to block Palestinian independence permanently.
French President Emmanuel Macron revealed this week that he and Trump, despite their policy disagreements, found common ground on at least one issue: opposing annexation of the West Bank. Macron said Trump confirmed to him that both the US and Europe shared this position.
Also Read:
Delivering Excellence in the Property and Investment Landscape: Benjamin Hunter
Driving Excellence and Transformation in the Pharma Landscape: Radwan Shaker Al-Zalak
