Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas articulated a clear warning to Israel: if the United Nations resolutions it has repeatedly failed to honor are not respected, a suspension of its UN membership should be on the table. He spoke these words at a UN event commemorating An-Nakba, the Day of Catastrophe, which Palestinians observe every year on May 15, marking the day after Israel’s proclamation of statehood in 1948. Abbas did not mince words about accountability, emphasizing that the UN must compel Israel to adhere to the decisions made by the world body and to live up to its own commitments to international law. He argued that continued violations by Israel would justify halting its membership privileges at the United Nations until concrete, verifiable actions demonstrating compliance are demonstrated by Israel. In his view, the international community cannot remain silent in the face of what he described as ongoing violence against Palestinian civilians. He singled out countries he believes have remained passive in the face of these abuses and urged them to take a firmer stance. Abbas asserted that Israel along with its supporters should offer formal apologies to the Palestinian people and provide compensation for the harms they have endured. Nations.
In the discourse that followed, Abbas referenced the role of the UN as a mechanism to enforce peaceful conduct and stated that international bodies must insist on compliance with UN mandates. He argued that a strong, credible reaction from the world’s principal institutions could help deter further aggression and create space for meaningful negotiations. The Palestinian leader made a case for collective responsibility among nations that have influence in the region, insisting that accountability is not negotiable and that the consequences of inaction would be borne by Palestinians who continue to experience precarity and disruption in their daily lives. He called for a climate where the UN and its member states hold all parties to the same standards, without double standards or selective enforcement. Nations.
Former UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the necessity of a ceasefire that is sustained by both sides. He stated that lasting peace requires a genuine commitment to halt hostilities, protect civilian lives, and create a framework in which talks can proceed with mutual respect. The emphasis was on practical steps that can translate into de-escalation, including confidence-building measures and transparent monitoring mechanisms. Guterres urged the international community to support efforts that reduce immediate suffering while facilitating the path toward negotiations that address the core issues at the heart of the conflict. The message was one of balance—protecting civilians, upholding international law, and insisting on accountability from all parties. Nations.