Ramallah, November 16 (RHC)-- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says the ongoing Israeli aggression and constant bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip is a barbaric war and genocide.  “We are facing together a barbaric war of aggression and an open war of genocide against our people in the Gaza Strip and in the West Bank,” Abbas made the remarks during a speech in Ramallah on Wednesday.  

Abbas strongly condemned the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and the violence Palestinians face in the occupied West Bank as "a war on the Palestinian existence and on the Palestinian national identity."  “It is a war against the existence of the Palestinians, against the Palestinian national identity, the identity of the land and the identity of its inhabitants.” the president said.

“Palestine is our only homeland and we will not accept an alternative, and if there is anyone who must leave our land it is the occupation – and only the occupation.”

Abbas went on to say the dead in Gaza “will be a curse to the occupation and to those who stand behind it or remain silent about the war crimes it commits against our people” – in a clear sign of exasperation at the silence of some in the international community.  “It is an episode in the series of aggression that has continued for more than a century.  It is also a disgrace to those who support this aggression and provide it with political and military cover," he said.

"The remains of our children who were torn apart by the missiles of this Israeli aggression, and the blood of our women and men whose hopes and lives were assassinated by the missiles of the aggression army," he added. 

Abbas also stressed that a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved through occupation and aggression.  "A just and comprehensive peace cannot be achieved through occupation, aggression, or military and security solutions, but rather through recognition of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state with al-Quds as its capital in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and the right of return.

"The world today has become more aware and more convinced of this.  We will not stop the national struggle until we achieve our freedom, independence and statehood.  The occupation will inevitably disappear," he said.

The remarks come as Israeli forces storm Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in Gaza as the death toll from the 40-day onslaught reaches nearly 11,500.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden is facing scathing criticism from his own government employees over his support for Israel’s genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip.   In yet another leaked memo obtained by an American news website, Axios, officials accuse Biden of spreading misinformation on the Israeli war.

The five-page memo, signed by 100 State Department and US-Aid employees, says Israel is committing war crimes and that Biden’s support of Israel has made him complicit in genocide in Gaza.   It also recommended that the government advocate the release of Israeli captives as well as thousands of Palestinians being illegally held in Israeli jails.

Just days ago, a similar leaked memo from the State Department showed a loss of confidence among diplomats in Biden’s approach and handling of the Gaza war.  The document demanded a ceasefire in Gaza and asked the administration to balance its private and public messaging toward Israel.

Meanwhile, people around the world continue to hold pro-Palestine rallies in a show of resentment at Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

Americans hit the streets of San Francisco and Washington to condemn their government’s support for the Israeli onslaught.

The protest in San Francisco came as President Biden was visiting the city to raise funds for his 2024 re-election bid.  Nearly 500 people marched to the venue, leading to a brief confrontation between protesters and police.

Separately, a protest was held outside the White House after news broke out about the Israeli raid on al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

In the Lebanese capital Beirut, pro-Palestinian protesters gathered near the British embassy, demanding international action to stop Israeli bloodshed in Gaza.

Condemnations are also pouring in from around the globe amid Israel’s relentless attacks and ethnic cleansing in the besieged Palestinian territory.