Leaders expressed concern over human rights and serious matters in the third day of the UN General Assembly meeting

third day of United Nations General Assembly The meeting began in New York City on Thursday, with leaders from countries around the world talking about important issues such as climate change and global conflict.

Nearly 80 world leaders spoke during the first two days of speeches. Thursday’s speakers include the leaders of China, Palestine, Greece, Congo, Denmark and Dominica.

Here are some of the highlights from the leaders who spoke on the third day:

Palestinians

Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Territories and the Palestinian National Authority, called for international recognition of Palestine while keeping East Jerusalem as its capital.

He called for inclusion of Palestine in the United Nations like Israel.

Abbas said, “There are two states that the whole world is talking about: Israel and Palestine.” “But only Israel is recognized. Why not Palestine?”

“What risks arise from the State of Palestine achieving full membership of the United Nations?” He added.

Abbas said the effects of the Nakba, known in Arabic as “catastrophe” which refers to the mass displacement and eviction of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, are still felt today.

Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East War. Palestinians want those areas for their desired independent state. Some have accused Israel of implementing an “apartheid” policy of the Palestinian territories through its blockade of the Gaza Strip and security checkpoints.

On Wednesday, Palestinian officials said six Palestinians were killed in an Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank and unrest in the Gaza Strip. Over the past year and a half, deadly violence between Israelis and Palestinians has escalated in the West Bank to levels unprecedented in nearly two decades. Israel has intensified its attacks on Palestinian areas and Palestinian attacks on Israelis are increasing.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

“Israel’s racist, right-wing government continues to attack our people through its army and racist, terrorist settlers, destroying homes and property to intimidate and kill people,” Abbas said.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.