UN Applauds Palestinian President After Accusation of Genocide Against Israel

New York - In a moment that stunned diplomats and ignited global debate, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas received a prolonged standing ovation at the United Nations General Assembly after accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

The applause came moments after Abbas delivered a fiery address condemning Israeli military operations, citing a newly released report from the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry which concluded that Israel had committed four of the five acts defined under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

“The State of Israel has crossed every red line of international law,” Abbas said. “It has deliberately targeted civilians, destroyed hospitals, blocked humanitarian aid, and imposed conditions of life designed to erase our people from Gaza.”

Delegates from over 70 countries stood in response, many applauding for more than a minute. Representatives from South Africa, Turkey, Brazil, and Ireland were among those visibly moved, while others remained seated, including the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

The UN Commission’s report, released earlier this month, found that Israeli authorities and security forces had committed acts including mass killings, infliction of serious bodily and mental harm, and the deliberate creation of life-threatening conditions in Gaza. The report also cited statements from Israeli officials as evidence of genocidal intent.

Israel’s delegation immediately condemned Abbas’s remarks and the Commission’s findings. Ambassador Daniel Meron called the accusations “libelous” and “a grotesque distortion of reality,” accusing the UN body of serving as “a proxy for Hamas propaganda”.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement rejecting the report as “fake,” and called for the Commission’s immediate dissolution. “This is not justice. It is political theater,” the statement read.

The applause for Abbas underscores a growing divide within the international community over Israel’s conduct in Gaza. While some nations have called for sanctions and arms embargoes, others continue to support Israel’s right to self-defense and reject the genocide label.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have echoed the UN’s findings, urging member states to take concrete action, including halting weapons transfers and reevaluating trade ties with Israel.

As Abbas exited the chamber, he was met by a crowd of journalists and supporters. “This is not just about Palestine,” he said. “It is about the future of international law. If genocide is allowed to go unpunished, then no people is safe.”

The moment marked a turning point in the diplomatic narrative surrounding Gaza. Whether it leads to accountability or further polarization remains to be seen. But for now, the applause still echoes through the halls of the UN.