Abbas accused Israel of "genocide, destruction, starvation and displacement" in Gaza. He also highlighted the expanded illegal settlements on the West Bank, as well as settler violence against Palestinians.
But he struck a partially diplomatic tone at the same time.
Despite all the suffering of our people, we reject Hamas' actions on October 7 (2023). These actions against Israeli civilians, and the taking of hostages, do not represent the Palestinian people, said Abbas, who was allowed to speak via link as he was denied a visa from the USA.
Thanked for recognitions
Hamas has no place in a future Palestinian government after the war, said Abbas, and added that the EU and US terror-classified movement must hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Hamas has opened up to giving up political power in Gaza, but has dismissed Israeli demands for disarmament.
Abbas further thanked the new countries, including France, the United Kingdom and Canada, which recently recognized a Palestinian state.
"Freedom will come"
But he urged the international community at the same time to move from symbolic recognitions to concrete actions to help the Palestinians achieve an independent state.
The dawn of freedom will come, when the flag of Palestine will wave high towards the sky as a symbol of dignity, perseverance and freedom from occupation, concluded Abbas.
We will not leave our homeland.
Israel, on its part, accepts neither a government of Hamas nor PA and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated on Wednesday that "there will be no Palestinian state".
