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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that, for the second consecutive year, the Palestinian delegation had not been allowed to obtain the visas needed to reach New York and participate in the UN General Assembly meetings. Abbas argued that this was an unlawful and punitive action and said they also rejected the accusations on which these measures were based.

Abbas said the Palestinian administration was fulfilling its responsibilities and obligations in line with a two-state solution free from violence and terrorism and in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.

He said the Palestinian people and administration should not be punished for demanding the implementation of International Criminal Court decisions. Abbas argued that preventing the Palestinian delegation from reaching the UN General Assembly meant that the United States, as the host country, was failing to fulfill its responsibilities under the UN Charter, and called on the US administration to lift sanctions and restrictions. Abbas also called for a return to dialogue and mutual respect.

Abbas said the two-state solution should be implemented by working together with the international community, adding that parties choosing the diplomatic path should have their rights recognized rather than be punished.

Abbas said he was speaking during one of the most dangerous periods in the history of the Palestinian people and argued that Palestinians were experiencing historical injustice, displacement from their lands and homes, and deprivation of their rights to freedom and self-determination. He alleged that actions by Israeli occupation forces, including killings, destruction, starvation and expulsion from land, had led to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.

Abbas also said that, in addition to mosques and churches, necessities essential for life were being targeted, adding that settlements in the West Bank were expanding and Jerusalem was becoming increasingly isolated.

Abbas said he welcomed steps taken by 12 states in support of the two-state solution and also viewed the meeting programs of the United Kingdom and Canada positively. He stressed that they also supported efforts concerning steps to be taken following US President Donald Trump's meeting with Arab and Islamic countries in September.

Abbas argued that Israel's land seizure actions should not be considered separately and claimed that they were aimed at breaking the resistance of the Palestinian people. He said the Israeli administration was withholding more than 66 billion dollars that he said belonged to the Palestinian administration and demanded the immediate release of the funds.