Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Wednesday that the PA would not remain committed to agreements that Israel does not respect, noting that there would be “no security or stability without ending the occupation,” Al-Resalah newspaper has reported.
In a televised speech delivered on Wednesday evening, Abbas said that the Israeli violations against holy sites usher in a long-term religious conflict and this should push the international community to find a solution before it is too late.
“We will not accept the current situation at Al-Aqsa Mosque,” said Abbas, “and we will not let the Israelis pass any of their plans there as the mosque is for the Muslims of the entire world.” He noted Israel’s “aggressive assaults” on Palestinians which put regional security at risk.
Abbas recalled what he said in his speech delivered to the UN General Assembly, stressing that the Palestinian resistance, which is based on self-defence, “will continue”. However, he said that the Palestinians will be “wise and patient” in order to protect their national achievements of recent decades.
The Palestinian president revealed that the PA has filed cases with the International Criminal Court regarding the murderous arson attack by settlers which killed the Dawabsheh family in July, as well as the kidnapping and murder by settlers of teenager Mohamed Abu-Khdeir. Last year’s Israeli offensive against the Gaza Strip has also been referred to the ICC. In all of this, said Abbas, the Israelis have been refusing the Palestinian hands extended for peace.
Speaking directly to the Palestinian people, the president said: “Palestinian heroes, you have achieved prominent political achievements with your persistence. The Palestinian issue has become the top issue across the world.” He called for them to be “wary” regarding Israeli plans aiming to “abort” the Palestinian national project, noting that the PA “will not hesitate to defend the Palestinians.”
In conclusion, Abbas said that the Palestinians have paid the price of freedom with the blood of their sons. “Freedom has come very close. We salute our people, Jerusalem, Gaza, the West Bank and Palestinians in the diaspora. Victory is coming, but most people do not know.”