Abbas: Israel must end its regional hegemony if it’s serious about peace
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called on Israel to end its “regional domination” during a press conference he held Wednesday in Brussels in advance of his scheduled address the next day before the European Parliament.
“If Israel seeks peace with its Arab neighbors it has to start by ending its hegemony in the region and to stop violating the rights of our people,” Abbas said. “Then we will be able to implement the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002,” he added.
The PA president spoke to reporters together with European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini within hours after landing in Belgium.
His words were translated from Arabic into English by the European Union.
Abbas’ arrival coincided with the visit of President Reuven Rivlin, who addressed the European Parliament on Wednesday and is scheduled to meet with Mogherini on Thursday.
Their joint presence in Brussels has fueled speculation that an accidental or intentional meeting between them might occur.