Palestinian National Authority
President Mahmoud Abbas
The Palestinian Liberation Organization, the precursor to the Palestinian National Authority, was first granted observer status by the United Nations on November 22, 1974. Mahmoud Abbas has served president of the Palestinian National Authority since January 15, 2005, and as chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organization since October 29, 2004. The following is excerpted from President Abbas’s statement during UN General Assembly debate on November 29, 2012, on the status of Palestine in the United Nations. Palestine comes today to the General Assembly at a time when it is still tending to its wounds and burying its beloved martyrs…
