Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a video message expressing gratitude to Australia and other nations for recognizing Palestinian statehood. His message comes after he was denied a visa to attend the United Nations by the United States. Abbas highlighted the lack of implementation of over 1,000 resolutions concerning Palestinian rights that have been adopted by UN bodies over the years. "There have been many efforts and many international initiatives without reaching an end to this tragic situation, and the Palestinian people are living under the yoke of occupation," he stated.

Despite the ongoing conflict, Palestine has remained a focal point during this year's UN High-Level Week in New York. Abbas's video address was permitted after member nations voted to allow him to speak remotely. In his remarks, he condemned the actions of the Israeli government, accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza, a claim recently supported by a UN commission of inquiry. He also criticized the violence perpetrated by settlers in the West Bank, which he believes undermines the international effort to establish a Palestinian state.

"What Israel is carrying out is not merely an aggression; it is a war crime and a crime against humanity that is both documented and monitored," Abbas said through a translator. He added that these actions would be recorded in history as one of the most horrific humanitarian tragedies of the 20th and 21st centuries.

As Abbas spoke, Israel continued its military operations in Gaza City, leading to a significant rise in civilian casualties, according to the UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Earlier in the week, Australia and nine other Western countries announced their recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state, a shift after decades of refusal. Abbas expressed appreciation for this decision, stating, "Our people will not forget this noble position," and thanked global protesters advocating for Palestinian rights.

He also indicated the Palestinian Authority's willingness to collaborate with US President Donald Trump, France, Saudi Arabia, and the UN to implement a peace plan endorsed by the General Assembly. This plan, known as the "New York Declaration," aims to advance a two-state solution and received support from 142 of the UN's 193 member states, although Israel, the US, and eight other countries opposed it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address the UN on Friday. Abbas concluded his address by asserting, "The time has come for the international community to do right by the Palestinian people. Palestine is ours. We will not leave our homeland. We will not leave our lands."