Abbas speech encourages incitement and disaster in Middle East: Netanyahu

“Abu Mazen’s [Abbas] speech is deceitful and encourages incitement and disaster in the Middle East. Unlike the Palestinians, Israel strictly adheres to the status quo on the Temple Mount, and is committed to continuing to do so in accordance with the agreements between Israel and Jordan and the Waqf,” Netanyahu said.

 

“We expect and urge the [Palestinian] Authority and its leader to act responsibly and accept the offer by the prime minister of Israel to hold direct negotiations with Israel without preconditions. The fact that he time and again has not responded is the best proof there is that he has no intention of reaching a peace agreement,” he added.

 

Netanyahu’s comments came in response to harsh criticism from the Palestinian leader during his speech before the UN General Assembly.

 

Abbas earlier told the General Assembly that “extremist Israeli groups are committing repeated incursions at the al-Aqsa Mosque,” in order to impose a new reality and divide the site.

 

Israeli “occupying forces” are entering the mosque while preventing Muslim worshipers from exercising their religious rights, he charged, a day before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to take to the podium to address world leaders.

 

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