In a significant address delivered at the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas outlined his plans to travel to Gaza accompanied by the entire Palestinian leadership.

This announcement marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing Palestinian struggle and underscores the broader international engagement needed to address the crisis in the region.

President Abbas’s speech, delivered in Ankara and attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was a call to action for the global community. Abbas’s intention to visit Gaza reflects a commitment to solidarity with the Palestinian people amid escalating conflict and humanitarian challenges. He urged world leaders, including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, to accompany him in this crucial visit, highlighting the need for international support and attention.

“The real objective of Israel's genocide in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem is to eradicate the Palestinian presence from their homeland and forcibly displace them,” Abbas declared. His statement reinforces a central theme of his address: the ongoing struggle for Palestinian sovereignty and justice against a backdrop of what he describes as persistent Israeli aggression.

Abbas articulated the deep-seated grievances of the Palestinian people, who have faced decades of hardship and displacement. He remarked: “I come to you carrying the pains and hopes of our Palestinian people, who have endured great suffering and a continuing catastrophe since 1948, facing the crimes of the occupation and the absence of international justice, while holding steadfast to their land, homeland, sacred sites, and national rights.”

Abbas's remarks also included expressions of gratitude towards Egypt and Jordan for their opposition to Israeli displacement plans. However, he voiced frustration over what he perceives as the international community’s silence regarding the recent atrocities committed by the Israeli occupation, including the massacre at the Al-Tabi'in School in Gaza, which resulted in significant loss of life.

In his address, Abbas reaffirmed the indivisibility of the Palestinian state, emphasizing that “Gaza is an integral part of the unified Palestinian state.” He asserted that the establishment of a state solely in Gaza is not a feasible solution, and expressed determination to rebuild and heal the region with the support of Arab, Islamic, and global allies. His vision includes an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Abbas also underscored the importance of holding those responsible for war crimes accountable. “Their crimes would not be forgotten over time,” he asserted, pledging to continue the Palestinian struggle for justice through international legal mechanisms such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

The Palestinian leader's appreciation for Türkiye and President Erdoğan's support was evident throughout the speech. He thanked Turkish political parties and civil society organizations for their condemnation of Israeli actions against the Palestinian people, land, and holy sites.

Abbas’s address at the Turkish Parliament was a powerful appeal for increased international solidarity and engagement. It highlighted the resilience of the Palestinian people and the urgent need for a unified global response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the broader Palestinian territories. The planned visit to Gaza, accompanied by calls for international support, represents a significant step in the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights and sovereignty. (ILKHA)