European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need for Gaza’s reconstruction and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution during her address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
New York, September 23 (ANI) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the 80th United Nations General Assembly, reiterating Europe’s commitment to a two-state solution while unveiling new initiatives aimed at supporting Palestine and rebuilding Gaza.
“We will set up a Palestine Donor Group. Because any future Palestinian State must be viable also from an economic point of view. And we Europeans will set up a dedicated instrument for Gaza’s reconstruction. Gaza must be rebuilt,” von der Leyen stated.
Highlighting Europe’s role in supporting the Palestinian Authority, she remarked, “When the night is darkest, we must hold fast to our compass, and our compass is the two-state solution. Since the beginning of this war, Europe has been the lifeline of the Palestinian Authority. But we must all do more, and this is why we will set up a Palestine donor group.”
Von der Leyen emphasized that the only realistic peace plan involves two states, ensuring a secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state, while also addressing the threat posed by Hamas.
In conjunction with these remarks, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas issued a stern warning to Hamas and its factions, urging them to surrender their weapons to the Palestinian Authority. He asserted that the state of Palestine is the sole entity entitled to govern and ensure security in Gaza.
Speaking via video link during a special session on the two-state solution at the UN General Assembly, Abbas outlined a vision for a unified Palestinian state governed by a single law and legitimate security force.
“The state of Palestine is the only entity eligible to assume full responsibility for governance and security in Gaza. This comes through an interim administrative committee affiliated with the Palestinian government in the West Bank and Arab and international support and participation,” Abbas stated.
He emphasized that “Hamas will have no role in governing” and urged, “Hamas and other factions must surrender their weapons to the Palestinian Authority. What we want is one unified state without weapons, a state with one law and one legitimate security force.”
Linking his vision to recent diplomatic efforts, Abbas expressed gratitude for the New York Declaration adopted by the UN General Assembly in July. He described it as marking “the beginning of an irreversible path” toward ending the humanitarian crisis and Israeli occupation, in accordance with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.
The declaration envisions an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, living peacefully alongside Israel.
Abbas called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, emphasizing the need for unhindered humanitarian access through the UN, the release of all hostages and prisoners, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. He also advocated for urgent reconstruction efforts in Gaza and the West Bank through the Cairo International Conference.
“The declaration stressed that the war against our people must come to an immediate and durable end. It noted that the crimes emanating from the siege, the starvation, and destruction cannot be a means of achieving security. Therefore, we call for a permanent ceasefire,” he said.
“We need to ensure humanitarian access through the United Nations. We need to guarantee the release of all hostages and prisoners, with the withdrawal of the occupation forces from Gaza. We need a start without delay of Gaza and the West Bank reconstruction through the Cairo International Conference,” the president added.
Building on this, Abbas condemned the “occupation’s crimes,” including the siege, starvation, and destruction, as well as Hamas’s actions on October 7, 2023.
“We stress our condemnation of the occupation’s crimes. We also condemn the killing and detention of civilians, including Hamas’s actions on October the 7th, 2023,” he stated.
He further denounced Israeli policies, including settlement expansion, annexation, settler violence, and attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites.
“We condemn the Israeli narrative on greater Israel, which flouts international law. It represents a direct threat to Arab national security and international peace,” he added.
The special session was co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. During the session, French President Emmanuel Macron formally announced France’s recognition of the state of Palestine.
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