New York: On the 77th anniversary of the Nakba, President Mahmoud Abbas called for a genuine international movement to end the ongoing suffering and historic injustice endured by the Palestinian people.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the commemoration was organized at the United Nations headquarters in New York by the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in cooperation with the Division for Palestinian Rights. Palestine's Permanent Representative to the UN, Minister Riyad Mansour, delivered a speech on behalf of President Abbas.
In his address, the President expressed appreciation for the UN's historic decision to officially commemorate the Nakba of 1948, a milestone he described as the "catastrophe of catastrophes." President Abbas reflected on the events of 1948, stating that the Nakba involved over 50 documented massacres, widespread atrocities, and the forced displacement of more than half the Palestinian population by Israeli forces. He emphasized that this tragedy remains an open wound, with its consequences still felt by millions of Palestinians today.
President Abbas highlighted the continuing series of Israeli actions against Palestinians, mentioning the confiscation of land and ongoing settlement colonization. He underscored the enduring impact on the Palestinian population, with over seven million refugees worldwide, suffering especially in refugee camps across the region.
The President also pointed to the targeting of UNRWA and the obstruction of its activities, which has exacerbated the plight of Palestinian refugees by depriving them of essential services. He reiterated the necessity for international recognition of Palestinian rights and called for a comprehensive ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
President Abbas urged the international community to provide protection for Palestinians and to support an upcoming International Peace Conference aimed at implementing a two-State solution. He emphasized the need for continued support for UNRWA and the pursuit of justice and accountability for crimes against Palestinians.
In closing, President Abbas reaffirmed the commitment of the Palestinian people to continue their struggle for freedom and independence, appealing for global solidarity and action to achieve peace and stability in the region.