Abbas Apologizes to 'Jewish People' for Offensive Comments, Condemning Holocaust and anti-Semitism
Source: Haaretz
'Abbas is a pathetic Holocaust denier his apology is not accepted,' Lieberman fires back ■ Palestinian president suggested historical persecution of Jews in Europe was caused by involvement in money-lending
Jack Khoury May 04, 2018 2:25 PM
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas apologized Friday for comments he made last week which were widely decried as anti-Semitic.
"If people were offended by my statement, especially people of the Jewish faith, I apologize to them. I would like to assure everyone that it was not my intention to do so, and to reiterate my full respect for the Jewish faith, as well as other monotheistic faiths.
"I would also like to reiterate our long held condemnation of the Holocaust, as the most heinous crime in history, and express our sympathy with its victims," he said.
"Likewise, we condemn anti- Semitism in all its forms, and confirm our commitment to the two- state solution, and to live side by side in peace and security," a statement released in English, Hebrew and Arabic said.
Read more: https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/abbas-apologizes-to-jewish-people-we-condemn-anti-semitism-in-all-its-forms-1.6054431
still_one
(92,219 posts)Netanyahu are particularly trustworthy, sincere, or actually want peace
DavidDvorkin
(19,479 posts)still_one
(92,219 posts)However I will spell the relevance out to you
Nothing happens in a vacum, and perhaps you were unaware of Prime Minister Netanyahu during his campaign that he would never allow a Palestinian state on his watch.
Why is it relevant, because this is all about the animosity both sides have for each other
DavidDvorkin
(19,479 posts)The vileness of Netanyahu is irrelevant.
still_one
(92,219 posts)I am not condoning or justifying Abbas's anti-Semitism.
This isn't the first time that Abbas has issued anti-semitic and Holocasut denial rhetoric.
What I am saying is the whole situation there breeds hate and contempt among the various parties, and it is not getting better, but worse.
The OP mentions Avigdor Lieberman. Why did they article decide that Lieberman should be the most appropriate person to comment?
The obvious answer is because Lieberman is a controversial figure
I think that everything that occurs there is relavant
and whether we agree or not it will be the Netanyahu's and Abbas's that will be the mindsets that will determine peace or not
area51
(11,911 posts)Igel
(35,320 posts)To see how this gets reported around the area.