NEW YORK – Middle East peace is not possible without recognition of Palestinian statehood at the pre-1967 lines, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told the United Nations on Thursday, amid a push for an Israeli normalization deal with Saudi Arabia.
“Those who think that peace can prevail in the Middle East without the Palestinian people enjoying their full, legitimate, and national rights, would be mistaken,” Abbas said as he addressed the high-level opening session of the 78th General Assembly.
He spoke amid increased diplomatic activity for the normalization deal, which would include Israeli concessions to the Palestinians.
Abbas did not mention the possibility of a Saudi deal in his speech on Thursday afternoon, nor did he sound as if he was engaged in a peace process.
Abbas called on the UN to recognize Palestine as one of its member states, a move that would need the approval of the Security Council. It’s expected that the US would block all such membership attempts.
Israel digging under Temple Mount
The Palestinian leader pledged to continue to pursue Israel legally in international arenas such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Both courts are weighing cases involving Israel.He accused Israel of “entrenching its apartheid” policies against his people and attacked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
“As I stand before you here, the Israeli racist right-wing government continues its attacks on our people and its army and its racist terrorist settlers continue to intimate and kill our people, steal our money, and resources,” Abbas said.He took Israel to task its actions in al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which is located on the Temple Mount.
“The occupying power is feverishly digging tunnels on and around al-Aqsa Mosque, which would cause its collapse,” a move that would lead to an “explosion.”
Israel, he said, is attempting to transform the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into a religious war.
The Israeli delegation was not present for his speech.
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