World media zeroes in on Abbas' promise to visit Gaza during Turkish parliament speech

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Thursday speech to the Turkish parliament, where he announced his decision to visit Gaza, attracted significant attention from the world media.

During his address in the capital Ankara, at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Abbas said, "I will go to Gaza. Our lives are not more valuable than the lives of the children in Gaza," also calling on Muslim leaders to join him.

The Associated Press stressed his declaration, highlighting Abbas' commitment to visit the Gaza Strip despite the many risks involved.

The Washington Post covered his speech under the headline, "The veteran Palestinian leader Abbas says he will visit Gaza and calls on Muslim leaders to join him," while The New York Times pointed to Abbas' vow to visit Gaza even if it costs him his life as well as Türkiye’s support and efforts for a cease-fire, saying: "Palestinian Authority Leader’s Visit Highlights Turkey’s Unique Role in Gaza Conflict."

The article also noted the applause he got from Turkish lawmakers and entering the Turkish parliament wearing a scarf with Turkish and Palestinian flags.

European outlets, including Reuters and Le Monde, reported on Abbas' announcement with a focus on his plans to visit both Gaza and Jerusalem, a key city for a future Palestinian state. 

Standing ovation in Turkish parliament

German daily Tageszeitung highlighted Abbas' declaration in Ankara that he would go to Gaza.

The report also mentioned that Abbas' speech was well-received in Türkiye, with Turkish lawmakers giving him a standing ovation.

Russian news outlets, such as Tass and Interfax, highlighted Abbas' assertion that "Gaza is an integral part of Palestine" and his determination to visit both Gaza and Jerusalem.

Interfax also reported that Abbas urged world leaders and the UN to support his efforts.

In Israel, the press covered Abbas' remarks extensively, with Yediot Aharonot and the Times of Israel reporting on his plans to visit Gaza, despite potential challenges due to Israeli control of access points to the region.

The Jerusalem Post quoted Abbas as saying: "Gaza is an inseparable part of the Palestinian state. There will be no state solely in Gaza. The Palestinian people will not be divided, and they will never surrender."

Chinese state media, including Xinhua, focused on Abbas' criticism of the US for blocking UN efforts to halt Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Abbas' speech came amid ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, which have resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths, including many thousands of children, since Oct. 7.

Abbas called on the UN Security Council to ensure safe passage to Gaza for him and other Palestinian leaders, reiterating that after Gaza, his next destination would be Jerusalem.