Abbas urges Europe to back 'Palestinian Spring'
Page 1 of 1 • Share
Abbas urges Europe to back 'Palestinian Spring'
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
STRASBOURG: Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas called on Europe to back the "Palestinian spring" by supporting his government's bid to win a place at the United Nations.
"Today we are at the heart of the Arab spring: we say that the hour of the Palestinian spring has struck," he said in a speech to the parliamentary assembly of the 47-nation Council of Europe.
"You supported the Arab spring which was seeking democracy and freedom," he said. "Now the Palestinian spring has arrived, asking for freedom and an end to the (Israeli)occupation."We deserve your support."
Abbas hailed the assembly's decision Tuesday to grant "Partner for Democracy Status" to the Palestinian National Council, the legislative arm of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).
The status will enable the PNC to participate in the Europe assembly's proceedings, without voting rights.
In return the parliamentary assembly will monitor Palestinian moves in several areas, including "refraining from violence, rejecting terrorism (and) recognising the right of Israel to exist."
Abbas last month made an application to the United Nations seeking full membership status, a move the United States has vowed to block.
Abbas said that "by submitting this request, we are not seeking to isolate Israel or delegitimise it."
"Though there were many attempts at provocation by the Israeli side, we will not let them drive us to extremism, we will not go that way."
The Palestinian leader again stressed that a halt to Israeli settlement activity was essential for resuming the peace process, and slammed demands by Benjamin Netanyahu's government for Israel to be recognised as the state of the Jewish people.
"What makes things more complicated is the fact that the Netanyahu government is insisting on laying down new and impossible conditions which have no basis in the terms of reference for peace or the resolutions adopted under international law," he said.
"The demand that the Palestinians recognise Israel as a 'Jewish' state is an unacceptable precondition, because there is a danger that it will turn the conflict raging in our region into a destructive religious conflict," he warned.
"Faced with the increasing suffering of our people under the occupation" and stalemate in negotiations with Israel, "our only alternative has been to turn to the international community and call on it to take action to open up new horizons for the peace process, through recognition of the state of Palestine, on the basis of the 4 June 1967 borders, and accept its accession as a full member of the United Nations," he said.(AFP)
STRASBOURG: Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas called on Europe to back the "Palestinian spring" by supporting his government's bid to win a place at the United Nations.
"Today we are at the heart of the Arab spring: we say that the hour of the Palestinian spring has struck," he said in a speech to the parliamentary assembly of the 47-nation Council of Europe.
"You supported the Arab spring which was seeking democracy and freedom," he said. "Now the Palestinian spring has arrived, asking for freedom and an end to the (Israeli)occupation."We deserve your support."
Abbas hailed the assembly's decision Tuesday to grant "Partner for Democracy Status" to the Palestinian National Council, the legislative arm of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).
The status will enable the PNC to participate in the Europe assembly's proceedings, without voting rights.
In return the parliamentary assembly will monitor Palestinian moves in several areas, including "refraining from violence, rejecting terrorism (and) recognising the right of Israel to exist."
Abbas last month made an application to the United Nations seeking full membership status, a move the United States has vowed to block.
Abbas said that "by submitting this request, we are not seeking to isolate Israel or delegitimise it."
"Though there were many attempts at provocation by the Israeli side, we will not let them drive us to extremism, we will not go that way."
The Palestinian leader again stressed that a halt to Israeli settlement activity was essential for resuming the peace process, and slammed demands by Benjamin Netanyahu's government for Israel to be recognised as the state of the Jewish people.
"What makes things more complicated is the fact that the Netanyahu government is insisting on laying down new and impossible conditions which have no basis in the terms of reference for peace or the resolutions adopted under international law," he said.
"The demand that the Palestinians recognise Israel as a 'Jewish' state is an unacceptable precondition, because there is a danger that it will turn the conflict raging in our region into a destructive religious conflict," he warned.
"Faced with the increasing suffering of our people under the occupation" and stalemate in negotiations with Israel, "our only alternative has been to turn to the international community and call on it to take action to open up new horizons for the peace process, through recognition of the state of Palestine, on the basis of the 4 June 1967 borders, and accept its accession as a full member of the United Nations," he said.(AFP)
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|
Yesterday at 9:57 am by Ibad Khan Buledi
» house disrepair claims
Mon Apr 22, 2024 11:23 am by Joshuaadam
» Aloha Planner - Note-Taker
Thu Apr 11, 2024 4:52 pm by ali001
» Streaming Guide Film TV Series
Tue Apr 09, 2024 9:39 pm by ali001
» Apricot Tree Problems & Solutions ????|خوبانی کے پھل کو کیڑا لگنےسے بچانے کا طریقہ ????
Sun Apr 07, 2024 6:28 am by Zamaan Khan
» خوبانی کے پودے کی کاشت گرم علاقوں میں کرنی چاہیے یا نہی
Sun Apr 07, 2024 6:24 am by Zamaan Khan
» New Here
Sun Apr 07, 2024 6:15 am by Zamaan Khan
» Bajta Hua Sochoon Main Koi Saaz Na Aaye Naat
Sun Apr 07, 2024 6:14 am by Zamaan Khan
» Woh Pagal Si Episode 52 to 62 - Top Pakistani Drama
Sun Apr 07, 2024 6:06 am by Zamaan Khan