Abbas UN Speech Termed “Provocative” by Obama Administration

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas arguably used his turn among speakers at the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly to dispel suggestions back home that he failed to take a sufficiently aggressive posture during the summer war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip. But his accusation that Israel was committing “genocide” in Gaza evoked a strong condemnation from the US administration which said Abbas “included offensive characterizations that were deeply disappointing.” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, “Such provocative statements are counterproductive and undermine efforts to create a positive atmosphere and restore trust between the parties.”  In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, himself preparing to depart for his turn at the Turtle Bay podium, issued a statement calling Abbas’ speech “a speech of incitement filled with lies.” Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman took it further, saying “Abbas has proved…that he is not a man of peace but rather Arafat’s heir.” Abbas argued that Israel had undermined the recent peace efforts brokered by US Secretary of State John Kerry and that Israel “seeks to fragment our land and our unity.” Abbas plans to submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council that would re-start negotiations with Israel for another nine months and conclude with a three-year timetable for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from land claimed by the Palestinians.