Hamas rejects Abbas’ UNGA remarks, affirms right to resist occupation

In response to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ address to the United Nations General Assembly, Hamas issued a statement reaffirming its stance on Palestinian resistance and rejecting what it described as attempts to delegitimize its role.

Hamas emphasized that Palestinian resistance is a national and moral responsibility, deriving its legitimacy from the steadfast Palestinian people and their natural right to resist occupation, as recognized by international law. The movement strongly rejected Abbas’ alignment with what it called a “false Zionist narrative” that seeks to portray resistance as targeting civilians.

The statement criticized Abbas’ assertion that Hamas should have no role in governance, describing it as an infringement on the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and an unacceptable submission to external pressures.

Hamas reaffirmed that its weapons cannot be compromised as long as the occupation persists, particularly in light of the ongoing “indiscriminate war” in Gaza and the crimes committed by 'Israeli' settlers and the military against unarmed civilians in the occupied West Bank.

The movement stressed that the only path to protecting the Palestinian cause and resisting the occupation’s policies, including the threat of displacement in Gaza, annexation of the West Bank, and the Judaization of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa,is through national unity and a comprehensive struggle program.

Hamas reiterated its commitment to achieving the aspirations of the Palestinian people: liberation, return, and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.