Head of the Palestinian Liberation Organization Saeb Erekat on Thursday slammed the Israeli prime minister’s United Nations speech, saying it “blames the victim”.
Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday lashed out at the Palestinian leadership at the UN General Assembly for saying the controversial Nation-State law is racist.
Erekat: Netanyahu’s Speech Blames the Victim; U.S. Has Closed the Door to Peace https://t.co/UfmpHeZZTD pic.twitter.com/uiUerUkl6A
— IMEMC News (@imemcnews) September 28, 2018
After Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel’s nation-state bill will nullify the two-state solution, Netanyahu commented:
“President Abbas, you proudly pay Palestinian terrorists who murder Jews. In fact, the more they slay, the more you pay. That’s in their law too. And you condemn Israel’s morality? You call Israel racist?”
Erekat: Netanyahu's speech victimizes criminal, blames victimhttps://t.co/QkWQMuYDFo pic.twitter.com/QIz4y8GHSn
— Ma'an News Agency (@MaanNewsAgency) September 28, 2018
He added:
“This is not the way to peace. This is not the way to achieve the peace we all want and need and to which Israel remains committed. This body should not be applauding the head of a regime that pays terrorists. The UN should condemn such a despicable policy.”
Erekat in his response scolded Netanyahu, accusing him of “victimizing the criminal” and denying Palestinians their right to exist.
In a forty-minute speech addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed the presence of another undeclared Iranian nuclear site, and blasted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for hypocrisy. https://t.co/UOJQ50sZFQ pic.twitter.com/52NbOr22Pk
— The Tower (@TheTowerDotOrg) September 27, 2018
According to Palestinian Authority news agency WAFA, Erekat said:
“Netanyahu’s speech is a combination of old and well-known talking points that conclude on victimizing the criminal and blaming the victim … His speech further exposes Israel’s systematic denial of our right to exist, to live in freedom and to celebrate our national identity.”
He added:
“Despite the oppression, racism and daily violence, the proud and resilient people of Palestine will continue to remain steadfast and to believe in the achievement of our inalienable rights, to live in freedom and in dignity. For the Israeli government, not only are the issues of Jerusalem and the Palestinian refugees off the table, but also Palestine’s very existence.”
Israeli defence chief says Palestinian state 'simply doesn't interest' him ahead of Abbas, Netanyahu speeches at United Nations General Assembly https://t.co/rsnBWy0RP0 pic.twitter.com/T7BNAMITzP
— Al Jazeera News (@AJENews) September 27, 2018
The nation-state law passed in July declared Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, provoking fears it could lead to blatant discrimination against Arab citizens.
(Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, PC, Social Media)
