Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday denounced what he
called “arrogance and aggression” by the Israeli Government and
called on the United Nations to push harder for the two-state
solution to resolve the conflict.
In his speech to the UN General Assembly,
Mr. Abbas strongly rejected the
“arrogant” pre-election announcement by Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu’s of an “illegal plan” to annex and apply
sovereignty over the Jordan Valley, the northern Dead Sea and
other Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Vowing that if any such plan were carried out, by any Israeli
Government, Palestine would terminate all previously signed
agreements and relevant obligations.
“What would you do if someone tried…to erase your
presence?” he asked the delegations in the Assembly Hall and
demanded: “Hasn’t the time come for the emancipation of the
Palestinian people and their freedom from this injustice,
oppression and occupation?”
Recalling that in 2012 his delegation had received UN Observer
status, Mr. Abbas proudly reported that “despite the obstacles
and policies imposed by the Israeli occupation and those behind
it”, Palestine “is a State party to over 110 international
instruments and organizations.”
While accepting international legitimacy and law to resolve its
cause, the President maintained that the peace it strives for is
“severely endangered” by Israel’s policies and practices in its
land, saying “the responsibility” is now “incumbent upon you”.
A ‘reckless’ war in East Jerusalem
On the situation in East Jerusalem, Mr. Abbas lamented that
Israel “is waging a reckless, racist war against everything
Palestinian”, from demolishing homes to assaulting clergy and
legislating racist laws to denying access to holy places.
“I caution against these policies and reckless measures, which
will lead to dangerous consequences with unfathomable
implications,” he warned, asserting that Palestine “will not
surrender to the Israeli occupation regardless of the
circumstances and no matter the pain”.
“Let everyone know that occupation cannot bring peace or security
or stability for anyone”, he stressed.
Mr. Abbas said is “unfortunate and shocking” that the United
States, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is
“supporting Israeli aggression against us – reneging on its
international political, legal and moral obligations”.
He cited “extremely aggressive and unlawful measures” the US has
taken, such as declaring Jerusalem the capital of Israel, “in
blatant provocation” to hundreds of millions of Muslims and
Christians.
The Palestine President renewed his call for an international
peace conference, saying “we cannot accept that the shepherding
of peace be monopolized by one country”.
In closing, he saluted the people in Palestine, in refugee camps
and the diaspora across the word with the confident message that
the occupation “will inevitably end”.
“The dawn of freedom and independence is coming…a right is never
lost as long as someone strives to claim it”, concluded President
Abbas.
