Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced today his intention to visit the Gaza Strip accompanied by all members of his government, followed by a trip to the holy city of Jerusalem. He called for efforts to “ensure” their safe passage.
In a speech before the Turkish Parliament, attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Abbas stated: “I have decided to go to Gaza with all members of the Palestinian leadership, and I will do everything in my power to stand with our people. Our lives are no more precious than those of any Palestinian child. We adhere to Islamic principles; it is either victory or martyrdom.”
The Palestinian President urged world leaders and the UN Secretary-General to support this decision and “facilitate our access to Gaza.” He added, “My next destination will be the holy city of Jerusalem, the capital of our Palestinian state,” according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.
On this occasion, President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his astonishment at the international community’s silence regarding the daily atrocities committed by occupying forces, including the massacre at the “Al-Tabe’een” school, which resulted in over a hundred fatalities. He emphasized the “necessity of ensuring that murderers and war criminals are held accountable for their crimes, which cannot be forgotten or forgiven.”
He reiterated that the State of Palestine is a “fixed reality on our land and in the international community,” underscoring the Palestinian people’s determination to continue their struggle “until justice is achieved in Palestine.” He also highlighted their commitment to working diligently with relevant international institutions, particularly the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, the Human Rights Council, as well as the General Assembly and the Security Council.
Furthermore, during discussions held yesterday with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President Abbas reaffirmed the importance of the international community compelling the Zionist entity to adhere to international legitimacy and law, implement international court decisions—most recently from the International Court of Justice—and support Palestine’s bid for full membership in the United Nations while convening an international peace conference.
