The April 30 address by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Palestinian National Council's (PNC) opening session caught many off guard. In his two-hour discourse, Abbas was keen to reiterate what he already said in previous speeches, defend his policies and justify his actions.

The 83-year-old Palestinian leader seemed relaxed and happy to have succeeded in accomplishing what many thought was almost impossible. Abbas’ address followed the counting of present members to ensure that there is a quorum of two-thirds in the PNC session, which was broadcast live on Palestine TV. In fact, 605 out of the 741 members attended the meeting. The Palestinian leader felt vindicated to say that it is a “unique” event that 83% of the PNC members are present. He said that had the case been different or had the quorum been absent, the legitimacy of the PLO would have been questioned.

The long, rambling speech, laced with colloquial phrases and attempts to contradict historical narratives, might be old-school Palestinian. This, however, has become Abbas’ signature in his speeches, which is perhaps an indication that he is thinking of his own legacy.

During the PLO Central Council’s meeting Jan. 15, Abbas lashed out at US President Donald Trump for his Jerusalem decision and his attempts to financially punish Palestinians by forcing them to negotiate with Israel. Abbas used the colloquial Palestinian phrase "Yekhrib Beitak" — which is literally translated as "May your house be destroyed," the equivalent of "Damn you" in English — to condemn the US policies and claims that Palestinians oppose negotiations. “Since when have we refused to negotiate? I went to Washington four times to negotiate, and I am willing to negotiate even this so-called ultimate deal. It is a shame,” he told the Central Council’s delegates.