Tag Archive for Mahmoud Abbas

| November 12, 2012
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Abbas thinks his ‘No’ Puts Barack Obama in His Place

Barack Obama called Abbas to express his opposition at the Palestinian Authority Chairman’s bid to the United Nation’s General Assembly.

Abbas did what Netanyahu could never do – Say “no” to the president.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas threw cold water on President Barack Obama’s election victory, answering the president with a direct “no” after Obama told him his administration is opposed to the PA’s unilateral move for recognition by the United Nations General Assembly.

PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas

PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas – AFP photo

Abbas’ blunt “no” underscored the new Middle East reality, where the PA chief feels he can snub the United States and bank on international opposition to the State of Israel’s position for defensible borders, said analysts. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 7, 2012
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Palestinian Authority & Hamas urges Obama to stop siding with Israel

PA president Abbas calls on president Obama to put an end to ‘Israeli occupation,’ while Hamas asks him to stop bias

By Elior Levy

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas joined world leaders on Wednesday in congratulating Barack Obama for being elected for a second term in the White House, and expressed hope the US president would help instate the two-state solution.

Mahmoud Abbas Photo: AP

Mahmoud Abbas – Photo: AP

Abbas’ chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, said that “Obama must take action to dry out the swamp that is the Israeli occupation, because this is the key to democracy.”

In a statement, Erekat stated that the PA has decided to submit its bid for UN recognition this month, “and we hope that Obama stands by the Palestinians.” Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 5, 2012
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24hrs later Abbas already takes back ‘right of return’ remarks

“What I said about Safed is my personal stance. It means nothing about giving up the right of return,” he said. “No one would give up their right of return.” said Abbas

 

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has said that he has not given up on the right of return for Palestinians, rowing back on his comments to Israel’s Channel 2 two days previously.

President Mahmoud Abbas at the UN

President Mahmoud Abbas at the UN

President Abbas had spoken to Channel 2 on Thursday about his childhood home in Israel, saying: “I visited Safed before once. But I want to see Safed. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| November 5, 2012
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Palestinians to pursue UN bid, despite Netanyahu’s call for direct talks immediately

WATCH: Israeli PM Netanyahu renews his call for immediate resumption of negotiations & warns against unilateral moves.
Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah: Direct talks must await the UN vote.

By Reuters

 

The Palestinians will press ahead with a bid to upgrade their status at the United Nations, a senior PA official said on Monday, brushing off a request by Israel to halt the initiative.

Mahmoud Abbas speaking at the UN General Assembly

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sept. 27, 2012. Photo by AP

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has renewed his call for an immediate resumption of peace talks and has warned Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas against making any unilateral moves in the UN General Assembly. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 4, 2012
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Olmert: Netanyahu bolstered Hamas by weakening PA

Former PM levels harsh criticism at current premier; says Netanyahu ‘has taken several steps that weakened PA, made Hamas stronger.’ Olmert insists Abbas still partner for peace

By Itamar Eichner

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert leveled harsh criticism at his successor Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday, saying that he had taken steps to weaken the Palestinian Authority and bolster Hamas at the PA’s expense.

אולמרט ואבו מאזן (צילום: רויטרס)

Olmert and Abbas – Photo: Reuters

The statement was given following Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ controversial interview with Channel 2 News last week.

“Unfortunately, since the change of government in Israel, the talks with the Palestinians have been suspended and great efforts have been made to prove to the Israeli public that ‘there’s no Palestinian partner,'” Olmert’s statement said. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| November 3, 2012
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Gaza’s Hamas Slams PA Chairman Abbas over Israeli TV Interview

Hamas outraged by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’s remarks that he considers Palestine “a state within the pre-1967 borders.”

By Elad Benari, Canada

 

Hamas slammed Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Friday, in response to comments he made in an interview he gave to Israel’s Channel 2 News.

In the interview, which aired on the network’s Friday evening news magazine, Abbas hinted he would be willing to give up on the so-called “right of return” and said that he considers Palestine as “a state within the pre-1967 borders which exists alongside Israel.”

The comments irked Hamas’ prime minister in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, who issued an angry statement and said that Abbas’ remarks represent only his personal opinion and not the opinions of the “Palestinian people.” Continue Reading »

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| November 2, 2012
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Erdogan: Netanyahu sent weirdo envoys to patch things up

‘Today’s Zaman’ reports: Turkish PM Erdogan renews plans to travel to Gaza, hints he could make visit with Abbas.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday described as “very weird,” the diplomats sent by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyhu to help negotiate a re-normaliztion of relations between the two countries, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman reported Friday. Ties between Turkey and Israel were strained following the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, in which IDF commandos killed nine Turkish citizens attempting to break the blockade on Gaza.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan - Photo: REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan – Photo: REUTERS/Umit Bektas

The Turkish prime minister, speaking to journalists on his return flight to Ankara from Berlin, reiterated his three demands for rehabilitating ties with Israel, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman reported Friday.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| November 2, 2012
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West Bank: What is the West Funding?

Failing to hold the PA accountable for its actions, will only drive more Palestinians into the arms of Hamas & the other radical forces.

by Khaled Abu Toameh

 

Harb said that the decision to summon him for questioning was in the context of the Palestinian Authority leadership’s campaign to intimidate Palestinian writers and journalists and stop them from discussing internal issues. International human rights groups and countries that fund and support Abbas’s authority have yet to sound their voices. Failing to hold the Palestinian Authority accountable will only drive more Palestinians into the arms of Hamas and other radical forces.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| November 2, 2012
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Mahmoud Abbas says: As long as I am in power, there will be no 3rd intifada

In interview with Israel’s Channel 2, PA President, Mahmoud Abbas says although he is a refugee from Safed, he supports a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders & the rest, is Israel.

 

 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been increasingly addressing Israeli public opinion ahead of the Palestinian United Nations independence bid and the upcoming Israeli elections.

Abbas - AFP - 1.5.12

Mahmoud Abbas addressing the Tunisian parliament on Monday – Photo by AFP

In an interview with Israel’s Channel 2, Abbas said that as long as he remains in power, he will not allow a third, armed intifada — or uprising — to break out. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| October 28, 2012
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Palestinian officials report: Abbas advancing his bid for UN recognition

Despite continued pressure from both  Israel & the US, Mahmoud Abbas is expected to ask the UN General Assembly to approve request for “nonmember state” status this November.

Palestinian officials say Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is moving forward with his plan to seek upgraded observer status at the United Nations next month, despite American and Israeli threats of financial or diplomatic retaliation.

Abbas at the UN General Assembly

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters. – Photo by AP

One official said Abbas is expected to ask the UN General Assembly to approve a Palestinian request for “nonmember state” status on November 15 or November 29. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| October 16, 2012
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Abbas: UN recognition would foster peace with Israel

U.S. envoy to UN, Rice says Palestinian status bid jeopardizes peace process.

Abbas’ letter to Obama, says Palestinians ready to resume Israel talks if UN bid succeesful

By Reuters and

 

 

The Palestinians fended off on Tuesday U.S. criticism of their bid for upgraded status at the United Nations, saying the move would improve prospects for a peace accord with Israel, not damage them.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday, saying he is ready to resume talks with Israel if he succeeds in obtaining UN recognition for the Palestinians.

Abbas and Obama

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, and U.S.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| October 10, 2012
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Abbas suggests to Israel peace talks resumption after UN vote on ‘nonmember state’ status

If Abbas receives UN recognition of a Palestinian state that includes all of the West Bank, PA officials believes a settlement freeze would no longer be a condition for negotiations

 

The Palestinian president appears to be backing away from his longstanding demand for Israel to halt West Bank settlement construction before peace talks resume.

PA President Abbas with the Jordanian Prime Minister Fayez Al Tarawneh.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, shake hands with Jordanian Prime Minister Fayez Al Tarawneh during their meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah, October 4, 2012. – Photo by AP

Mahmoud Abbas told European diplomats Tuesday that he will resume talks after the UN votes on a Palestinian request for “nonmember state” status. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| October 6, 2012
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Mahmoud Abbas: Israel blackmailing PA with the Palestinian prisoner issue

PA president accuses Israel of exploiting the suffering of Palestinian prisoners jailed before 1993 Oslo Accords.

Responding to Friday’s Temple Mount riots, Abbas accused Israel of launching “fierce assault” on al-Aksa Mosque.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH, HERB KEINON

 

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday accused Israel of “blackmailing” the PA leadership on the issue of Palestinian prisoners.

He also called for an emergency meeting of Islamic countries to discuss Israeli “aggression” against the Aksa Mosque in Jerusalem.

PA President Mahmoud Abbas at the UN - Photo: Scott Eells/Bloomberg

President Mahmoud Abbas at the UN – Photo: Scott Eells/Bloomberg

Abbas said that Israel has agreed to the gradual release of only a limited number of prisoners who were jailed before the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| September 29, 2012
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Lieberman: Abbas Blames Israel to Divert Responsibility

Lieberman explains to foreign dignitaries how Abbas uses Israel as a scapegoat rather than make peace.

By Maayana Miskin

 

Israel cannot make peace with the Palestinian Authority while it is led by Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said. Lieberman spent his time at the United Nations General Assembly last week meeting with dignitaries from around the world and – despite previous backlash – told them that Abbas is the primary obstacle to peace.

Abbas is uninterested in, and incapable of, providing true leadership, Lieberman accused. Instead, he seeks to use his PA chairmanship to travel the world and incite against Israel, while using Israel as a scapegoat for problems at home, he continued. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| September 29, 2012
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Abbas’ PA Policy of Duplicity

The PA is well aware that Arabs detained by Israel enjoy more rights than those incarcerated by the Palestinian Authority security forces in the West Bank.

by Khaled Abu Toameh

 

Abbas is trying to show the US and the EU that he is serious about fighting the Hamas in the West Bank, and that is why he deserves a state and more funding. What the Americans and Europeans do not know is that many of these detainees are released within hours or days.

The Palestinian Authority’s duplicity — which has become an integral part of the Palestinian Authority’s strategy in dealing with both its people and Israel — reached new heights last week when its leaders called for a “day of solidarity” with Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
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