Abbas calls for UN resolution compelling Israel to allow him to visit Gaza, invites world leaders to join him

NEW YORK — Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas calls for the passing of a UN resolution compelling Israel to allow him to visit Gaza.

Abbas announced his intention to visit the war-torn Strip in a speech to the Turkish parliament last month. He has since claimed that Israeli authorities have barred him from entering the coastal enclave.

He welcomes world leaders to join him on the visit “so that we could all see the tragedies that are taking place.”

The PA president wraps up his UN General Assembly speech by saluting those fighting for the Palestinian cause at home and abroad. He hails those in the flashpoint refugee camps as well as the 6,000 in Israeli jails. “Israel arrests whoever it wants. Those prisoners’ dignity is being violated every day.”

“Palestine will be free. It will be free, despite those who object to that. Our people will… continue their legitimate struggle for independence from the occupation. The occupation will end,” he declares.