Abbas calls for end to Gaza war to establish independent Palestinian state

By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on the international community on Thursday to work toward ending the Israeli war in Gaza to pave the way for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

In a video address from Ramallah to the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, Abbas urged world powers to support Palestine’s bid for full UN membership.

Abbas was among 80 Palestinian officials whose visas were revoked by the US Department of State, leaving them unable to attend this week’s UN meetings in New York in person.

“Practical measures have begun with the appointment of a committee to draft a provisional constitution for transition from an authority to a modern civil state free of extremism,” he said.

Abbas stressed that the Gaza Strip is an “integral part of Palestine,” saying that the Palestinian leadership “is ready to assume full responsibility for governance and security in the enclave.”

In November 2012, the UN General Assembly granted Palestine the status of a non-member observer state.