Abbas warning to Israel blunted by lack of specifics

If Abbas were to go through with his demand that Israel assume responsibility for the Palestinians as the occupying power in the territories, this arguably would require dissolving the Palestinian Authority and Abbas’ resignation. “It is a proud day”.

Israel and the United States had called the move a gesture that would not serve the cause of peace. It is reminder that symbols are important – and that a symbol can lead to action in the right direction. The speech may instead have been a cover for his waning popularity, or a way to make other countries and diplomatic entities more interested in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process again.

“And I say to all of them, to the sons of Palestinian people, that the new dawn is coming no doubt”.

The huge crowd, which included French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, diplomats from around the world and journalists, broke out into cheers when it started to flutter in the gentle breeze.

Abbas’ speech reflected growing Palestinian frustration and appeared aimed at focusing the attention of the worldwide community – busy with the Syrian civil war and the migrants’ crisis in Europe – on the long-festering Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The United States and Israel were among eight countries that voted against the Palestinian-drafted flag resolution.

The United States voted against the resolution.

Despite that symbolism and the generally receptive audience for Palestine in the General Assembly, Haaretz reported that Abbas was irritated that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict had been absent from the remarks of world leaders at this year’s meeting, including U.S. President Barack Obama’s.

Israeli-Palestinian strife has risen sharply in recent weeks as Arab states and Palestinians have accused Israeli forces of violations at Al-Aqsa mosque, one of Islam’s holiest places. Almost two-thirds of Palestinians have expressed desires for him to resign.

“Abbas has no plan, otherwise he could have spelled it out in his speech”.

Suggestions of what that could mean have included a complete withdrawal from the Oslo accords of the 1990s or the dissolution of the Palestinian Authority that those agreements created.

“There is an if, and on that if we are going to have to work”, she told reporters of the Palestinian threat to abandon past agreements.

“As long as Israel is not committed to its signed agreements, we for our part are not responsible for our agreements, and Israel must take full responsibility for its occupation”, Abbas said, speaking to the 70th United Nations General Assembly.

“The transitional Oslo Agreement and its annexes, and subsequent agreements signed with Israel, stipulated that the agreements would be implemented within five years, ending in 1999 with full independence for the State of Palestine and the termination of the Israeli occupation, ” Abbas said.

Abbas said the current situation is “unsustainable”, but that “my hands remain outstretched for the just peace that will guarantee my people’s fights”. “Settlements would also be explicitly banned”.