NEW YORK; Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday outlined a roadmap for the future of Palestine, declaring that Hamas and all armed factions must surrender their weapons to the Palestinian Authority (PA). Addressing a global conference in New York via video link—after being denied a U.S. visa—Abbas insisted that Hamas would have no role in governing Gaza or the future Palestinian state.
He called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, stressing the urgent need for humanitarian aid and the release of Israeli hostages. Abbas praised Egypt and Qatar for their mediation efforts and commended Egypt and Jordan for rejecting Israel’s plan to forcibly displace Palestinians.
“We want a demilitarised Palestinian state,” Abbas said, appealing to the international community for recognition of an independent Palestine. He pledged that within three months of the war’s end, a draft interim constitution would be prepared, followed by presidential and parliamentary elections under international supervision to ensure transparency.
Abbas stressed that Palestinians aspired to a modern democratic state based on the rule of law, justice, pluralism, equality, and empowerment of women and youth. He also underlined reforms in governance, financial management, and education in line with UNESCO standards.
The Palestinian president welcomed France’s recognition of Palestine as an independent state and hailed the 151 countries that have extended recognition. He urged global support for Palestine’s full UN membership, reminding the world that Palestine had recognised Israel in 1988 and 1993.
Abbas condemned Israeli settlement expansion, attacks on holy sites, and the isolation of Jerusalem, warning that such policies threatened both Arab security and global peace. He expressed readiness to implement the New York peace plan in cooperation with the U.S., Saudi Arabia, France, and the UN, under international monitoring.
