Riyaz Patel
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has denounced what he termed Israeli “arrogance and aggression,” telling the UN “the responsibility is now incumbent upon you” to push harder for the two-state solution to resolve the long-running conflict.
In his speech to the UN General Assembly, Abbas strongly rejected the “arrogant” pre-election announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan–which Abbas called “illegal”– to annex and apply sovereignty over the Jordan Valley, the northern Dead Sea and other Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Palestine would terminate all previously signed agreements and relevant obligations, should Tel Aviv proceed with its latest expansionist policy, Abbas warned.
“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?”
Abbas said 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,”recalling that in 2012, his delegation had been granted UN Observer status.
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.”
Referring to the situation in East Jerusalem, 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.”
“Let everyone know that occupation cannot bring peace or security or stability for anyone.”
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 pointed to the “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.
As Israel’s biggest ally – the US gives Israel around $3bn in aid annually, largely military, each year.
The US has used its veto power 43 times against draft UN Security Council resolutions critical of Israel, according to the Jewish Virtual Library, since it first began using the veto in 1970.
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 (US).”
In closing, he saluted the people in Palestine, in refugee camps and the diaspora across the word with the confident message that the Israeli occupation “will inevitably end.”
“A right is never lost as long as someone strives to claim it,”concluded President Abbas.
