Meeting Israelis, Abbas backs negotiations and denounces violence

Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas told an Israeli audience in Ramallah yesterday that the recent United Nations Security Council resolution was “not against Israel, but only against the settlements.”

According to reports in the Israeli media, Abbas made the remarks during a meeting with an estimated 200 Israeli activists, academics and former officials, who were “bused in from all around Israel with the help of the PA’s Committee for Interaction with Israeli Society.”

“We do not believe in violence or radicalism,” Abbas declared, “and we will never believe in it.” Abbas told the audience that “only a small portion of Israelis don’t want peace” and “we will convince them through peaceful means and no other way.”

Abbas also reaffirmed his willingness to negotiate with Israeli leaders: “Freeze settlements and let’s sit at the table. Nothing is impossible with good intentions.”

Abbas thanked the Israelis for their attendance, saying: “You coming here today is sufficient for us to make peace now. What separates us? You have come to take part in peace.” He then added: “The truth is we didn’t need the UN resolution, it is enough for us to talk and we can get to peace.”