Israel's Netanyahu invites Abbas to the Knesset in UN speech

[webfact]

Israeli leader invites Abbas to the Knesset in UN speech 
ALINA HEINEKE, Associated Press

 

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended an unprecedented invitation Thursday to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, urging him to address Israel's parliament.

 

Speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, Netanyahu offered in turn to appear before the Palestinian legislature.

 

The Palestinians quickly rejected the invitation as a "new gimmick" designed to mask what they described as Israel's intransigence on moving forward with the Mideast peace process.

 

Netanyahu addressed the world body moments after Abbas delivered his own speech. Both presented sharply different views of the path toward reviving peace talks that have been stalled for more than two years.

 

"I am ready to negotiate all final status, but one thing I will never negotiate is the right to a one and only Jewish state," Netanyahu said.

 

Netanyahu rejects a settlement freeze, rejects the 1967 borders as the basis for talks and rejects any division of Jerusalem. He has also said he would not uproot settlements.

 

Slamming Israel's "abhorrent" settlement policy, Abbas demanded the United Nations take a bigger role in the effort to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 

As the 50th anniversary of Israel's occupation approaches in June, Abbas urged the 193-member General Assembly to declare 2017 "the international year to end the Israeli occupation of our land and our people."

 

He called on the Security Council to take up a resolution on the settlements, adding, in a clear reference to the United States, "we hope no one will cast a veto."

 

Netanyahu rejected the idea of greater U.N. involvement in the peace process.

 

"We will not accept any attempt by the U.N. to dictate terms to Israel. The road to peace runs through Jerusalem and Ramallah, not through New York," he said.

 

Netanyahu reiterated Israel's longstanding complaints that the U.N. system is biased againstIsrael, declaring "the U.N., begun as a moral force, has become a moral farce."

 

But he also insisted Israel's relations with much of the world were rapidly improving, even in the Arab world, where he said many countries are increasingly seeing Israel as an ally against the Islamic State group and Iran.

 

Abbas denounced Israel's reluctance to involve the international community in the Mideast peace process. He accused Israel of "continuing to evade" an international conference that France wants to hold before the end of the year to work out a framework for negotiating peace.

 

He insisted "our hand remains outstretched for making peace" but said Israel refuses to "abandon the mentality of hegemony, expansionism and colonization."

 

The Palestinians have rebuffed Netanyahu's past offers for meetings, although Russia said this month that Abbas and Netanyahu have agreed "in principle" to meet in Moscow for talks aimed at relaunching a peace process.

 

Palestinian Ambassador to the U.N. Riyad Mansour dismissed Netanyahu's suggestion that Abbas address the Knesset as a "new gimmick."

 

"Will he attend the International Conference proposed by France and supported by many to be held by the end of the year?" Mansour said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. "You can measure Netanyahu's interest in achieving peace through the number of illegal settlements he builds and Palestinian homes he destroys. He has chosen occupation over peace."

 

In his speech, Abbas also accused Israel of perpetrating extrajudicial killings against Palestinians, an allegation Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon vehemently rejected. He said Abbas' "dangerous words" were "a ticking time-bomb" that would lead to more attacks againstIsrael.

 

"The Palestinian youth listening to his speech today, will be the terrorists of tomorrow," Danon said.

 

The General Assembly also heard from Iranian President Hassan Rohuani, who blamed the world's "major powers" for the spread of violent extremism and terrorism since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the U.S. He said world powers have fostered more insecurity through "repression and military intervention under the pretext of creating a secure environment for their citizens."

____

Associated Press writers Edith M. Lederer, George Jahn and Michael Astor contributed to this story.

 

-- © Associated Press 2016-09-23

[Ulysses G.]

Good for Netanyahu. He made another attempt to make peace without abandoning principles. The man is tough but fair.

Edited September 23, 2016 by Ulysses G.

[coma]

2 minutes ago, webfact said:

Netanyahu rejects a settlement freeze, rejects the 1967 borders as the basis for talks and rejects any division of Jerusalem. He has also said he would not uproot settlements.

 

And that is where this story should and does end. No hope of peace when one continues stealing from the other.

 

Therefore any offer to address the Israeli parliament is a farce and as the OP puts it, a  "new gimmick" to stall and hinder

real peace dialogue. 

[ezzra]

11 hours ago, coma said:

 

And that is where this story should and does end. No hope of peace when one continues stealing from the other.

 

Therefore any offer to address the Israeli parliament is a farce and as the OP puts it, a  "new gimmick" to stall and hinder

real peace dialogue. 

 

For people who glorify death on living. lionize and encourage teens to pull knives in a suicide attacks and teach hatred  and loathing in their schools and place of learning, it a good start....

[coma]

4 minutes ago, ezzra said:

 

For people who glorify death on living. lionize and encourage teens to pull knives

in a suicide attacks and teach hatred  and loathing in their schools and place

of learning, it a good start....

 

I guess what people like yourself don't realise is that those actions you state above are in fact reactions to a violent and illegal oppression. If you keep kicking them same dog day in,day out someday it will bite you. What else does a dog have as a defense mechanism?

Edited September 23, 2016 by coma

[Ulysses G.]

3 minutes ago, coma said:

 

I guess what people like yourself don't realise is that those actions you state above are in fact reactions to a violent and illegal oppression. 

 

The Palestinians started the violence in the first place, refused an opportunity to start their own country, declared war on Israel numerous times (and lost) and have refused to make peace for 70 years. They brought all their problems on themselves.

[ezzra]

10 hours ago, coma said:

 

I guess what people like yourself don't realise is that those actions you state above are in fact reactions to a violent and illegal oppression. If you keep kicking them same dog day in,day out someday it will bite you. What else does a dog have as a defense mechanism?

 

So finally someone has labeled the Palestinians correctly as you say, dogs, but even the most stupid dog in the world would have  understood by now that Israel isn't going anywhere, and if you want to bring knives to a gun fight, don't cry when your people dies needlessly, As for Abbas, the KBG spy , how about him inviting Netanyahu to the Palestinian parliament?  No? what, too much fear and hatred?......

[geriatrickid]

1 hour ago, coma said:

 

I guess what people like yourself don't realise is that those actions you state above are in fact reactions to a violent and illegal oppression. If you keep kicking them same dog day in,day out someday it will bite you. What else does a dog have as a defense mechanism?

 

Oh please. The   excuses and justifications   wore out  after the  terrorist mass murders in Iraq and the bombings of mosques in  Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt etc.

What's next, that Syria is just a   misunderstanding? The reality is that the  arabs need the conflict to continue for political and financial reasons.

 

 

[dexterm]

1 hour ago, Ulysses G. said:

 

The Palestinians started the violence in the first place, refused an opportunity to start their own country, declared war on Israel numerous times (and lost) and have refused to make peace for 70 years. They brought all their problems on themselves.

Exactly on cue. The usual deflectionary myths that have been debunked many times before.

[dexterm]

49 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

 

Oh please. The   excuses and justifications   wore out  after the  terrorist mass murders in Iraq and the bombings of mosques in  Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt etc.

What's next, that Syria is just a   misunderstanding? The reality is that the  arabs need the conflict to continue for political and financial reasons.

 

 

Off topic deflection. The discussion is about Israel and Palestine.

Edited September 23, 2016 by dexterm

[dexterm]

Of course it's a gimmick.

Netanyahu says : "I am ready to negotiate all final status,.."

 

except..

 

Palestinians must recognize not just a state of Israel (which they already have done 23 years ago at the Oslo Accords) but now they must recognize a Jewish State with all the racist supremacist baggage that entails including 20% non Jewish population condemned to 2nd class citizenship.

 

No exclusively Jewish colonies freeze..not much good will there building on land destined for a Palestinian State, more like a Zionist fait accompli. He also said he would not uproot any Jewish colonies, so clealy another land grab intended.

 

No deal based on a mere 22% of historic Palestine (67 borders including land swaps, which Palestinians are willing to accept,allowing israel to keep all that it stole in the ethnic cleansings of 47-48), so obviously Netanyahu aims to steal more.

 

No deal on Jerusalem even though it is sacred to 3 religions. Israel wants it all.

So what's left to negotiate?

 

I think Abbas is right. The current Israeli regime has no intention of negotiating a just peace.  This is just a publicity stunt. Pressure must come from outside in the form eventually of sanctions to make Israel face reality.

Edited September 23, 2016 by dexterm

[Ulysses G.]

1 minute ago, dexterm said:

Exactly on cue. The usual deflectionary myths that have been debunked many times before.

 

More like historical FACTS. Reflexively denying documented events does not change that.

[geriatrickid]

Just now, dexterm said:

Off topic deflection. The discussiion is about Israel and Palestine.

 

 Read it again. We are told that the violence is all because of israel. And yet, the culture of those who refuse to  support peace with Israel, is one of extreme violence. They cannot live in peace amongst themselves even when they run their own countries.  When Iraq  invaded Kuwait, the most ardent supporters of the  illegal invasion were arabs who identify as Palestinian. Once Kuwait was liberated, these Palestinian arabs were told to  leave.  There is a lesson to be learned.

Gaza has received billions in foreign aid. here's an idea. Instead of building rockets or militarized bunkers, the money could have been  spent on practical education such that the arabs s did not need to rely on Israel for specialized medical care or even basic dialysis.  

 

Here's a  bit of trivia you and your boycott israel chums overlook. Israel has organ donors. The hospitals are non discriminatory   and will  provide an organ on the basis of medical need. The arabs in Gaza and the west bank have  a negligible rate of organ donorship. Why are these arabs so quick to take Israeli supplied medical care and vital organs, but refuse to  contribute or give anything back?   It's part and parcel of a culture incapable of making peace.

 

 

[dexterm]

13 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

 

 Read it again. We are told that the violence is all because of israel. And yet, the culture of those who refuse to  support peace with Israel, is one of extreme violence. They cannot live in peace amongst themselves even when they run their own countries.  When Iraq  invaded Kuwait, the most ardent supporters of the  illegal invasion were arabs who identify as Palestinian. Once Kuwait was liberated, these Palestinian arabs were told to  leave.  There is a lesson to be learned.

Gaza has received billions in foreign aid. here's an idea. Instead of building rockets or militarized bunkers, the money could have been  spent on practical education such that the arabs s did not need to rely on Israel for specialized medical care or even basic dialysis.  

 

Here's a  bit of trivia you and your boycott israel chums overlook. Israel has organ donors. The hospitals are non discriminatory   and will  provide an organ on the basis of medical need. The arabs in Gaza and the west bank have  a negligible rate of organ donorship. Why are these arabs so quick to take Israeli supplied medical care and vital organs, but refuse to  contribute or give anything back?   It's part and parcel of a culture incapable of making peace.

 

 

I suggest you read the OP again. The subject has nothing to do with Pakistan, Egypt, Kuwait, Iraq, or Turkey.

 

But you never miss a chance to do a spot of Muslim bashing to deflect from the main issue.

 

Any money Gaza has received for infrastructure has been wantonly destroyed by the $billions of arms that US supplements Israel's occupation of Palestinians with.

 

Spare us the trivia about organ donations. No justification for 50 years of occupation. Just another deflection.

[Steely Dan]

Anyone who thinks the multi-billionaire Abbas has any intention whatsoever of pursuing a peaceful settlement need only look at the stupefying inversion of history he attempted to pull at the UN. I refer to his attempt to portray the Israelis not the Palestinians as the side who rejected the 1947 partition plan. I think it's plain to see how some of our esteemed members have similar difficulties with historical fact.


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[RuamRudy]

5 hours ago, Ulysses G. said:

 

The Palestinians started the violence in the first place, refused an opportunity to start their own country, declared war on Israel numerous times (and lost) and have refused to make peace for 70 years. They brought all their problems on themselves.

 

The people who started the violence, both the Palestinian and Jewish terrorists, are all long dead. Why must the youth of Palestine pay for the idiocy of old men of both persuasions? 

[Steely Dan]

Here is a link to Bibi's speech at the U.N. Quite brilliant considering the collection of self-debasing jackasses who make up the organization.

http://www.israellycool.com/2016/09/22/watch-binyamin-netanyahu-kills-it-at-the-un-general-assembly/

He is right about one thing though, behind the anti-Israel facade at the UN Israel's bilateral relations with an ever increasing number of nations has never been better. The Israel haters know this so their shrill condemnations show they are hysterical at this realization.


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[Jingthing]

 

[RuamRudy]

 

9 minutes ago, Steely Dan said:

Israel's bilateral relations with an ever increasing number of nations has never been better.

 

Whilst their relationships with foreign governments are, of course, critically important, the world at large still takes a dim view of the behaviour of Israel. I cannot find a more recent report, but this one from 2013 is telling: 

 

"A poll released Tuesday by the BBC confirms Israel remains one of the world’s least popular countries, with more than half of those surveyed identifying its influence as “mainly negative.” Only North Korea, Pakistan and Iran fared worse."

 

Israel may be pros when it come to schmoozing it up at the UN (and of course, they need to - they must be the world's biggest aid junkies) but the public at large, unencumbered by the niceties of protocol and diplomacy, can let morality and ethics be their guide. 

[CharlieK]

4 hours ago, dexterm said:

 

I think Abbas is right. The current Israeli regime has no intention of negotiating a just peace.  This is just a publicity stunt. Pressure must come from outside in the form eventually of sanctions to make Israel face reality.

 

 

And you think Abbas wants to negotiate? now that is naive. 

[CharlieK]

20 minutes ago, Steely Dan said:

Here is a link to Bibi's speech at the U.N. Quite brilliant considering the collection of self-debasing jackasses who make up the organization.

http://www.israellycool.com/2016/09/22/watch-binyamin-netanyahu-kills-it-at-the-un-general-assembly/

He is right about one thing though, behind the anti-Israel facade at the UN Israel's bilateral relations with an ever increasing number of nations has never been better. The Israel haters know this so their shrill condemnations show they are hysterical at this realization.


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

 

The arab nations aren't sending as much aid to the west bank as before, They have had enough of Abbas and Hamas. Isis is the real threat to them, together with Iran. The realisation by the oil states that they need strong allies in the region, Only one country fits that bill Israel.

Abbas will be forced to the peace table and he will have to take whats on offer or accept even the Arab states won't push against Israel for a palestinian state. Jordan must be worried Abdullah know he will have to take control of the west bank again! His reign is looking shaky now.

[ThaiWest]

Of course, the UN is the answer to ALL the world's problems, right? Just bring on more 'World Government'! Let people who have $$$$ agendas dictate how the rest will live! Screw the UN.

 

Truly, WHAT has the UN done for the GOOD of the common people anywhere?

[dexterm]

1 hour ago, CharlieK said:

 

The arab nations aren't sending as much aid to the west bank as before, They have had enough of Abbas and Hamas. Isis is the real threat to them, together with Iran. The realisation by the oil states that they need strong allies in the region, Only one country fits that bill Israel.

Abbas will be forced to the peace table and he will have to take whats on offer or accept even the Arab states won't push against Israel for a palestinian state. Jordan must be worried Abdullah know he will have to take control of the west bank again! His reign is looking shaky now.

>>Abbas will be forced to the peace table and he will have to take whats on offer

.... Who on earth is going to force Abbas or any future Palestinian leader to accept the crumbs that Israel has to offer? The Palestinians have compromised enough.

 

You seem to forget that over 70% of the world's countries have recognized the State of Palestine. And they aint about to unrecognize it.

 

Any unilateral declaration of annexation by Israel will not be approved globally, so it will not bring Israel permanent peace...just another bandaid.  Meanwhile the indigenous Palestinian population within Israel and all of historic pre partiton Palestine grows and grows, while Israel digs a hole for itself. Time is on the Palestinians' side.

 

Everyone knows that every UN resolution re Israel's illegal West Bank colonies, borders, the legality of annexing the Golan Heights or East Jerusalem would pass overwhelmingly in the Security Council....but for the US veto. Maybe it's about time the US gave Israel a fright to bring it to its senses after the US elections. 

Edited September 23, 2016 by dexterm

[coma]

2 hours ago, Steely Dan said:

He is right about one thing though, behind the anti-Israel facade at the UN Israel's bilateral relations with an ever increasing number of nations has never been better..


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

 

 

[Steely Dan]

1 hour ago, coma said:

 

 

Where's Sarkozy now? As for Obama he will be getting in touch with the house movers soon.

[Ulysses G.]

5 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

 

The people who started the violence, both the Palestinian and Jewish terrorists, are all long dead. Why must the youth of Palestine pay for the idiocy of old men of both persuasions? 

 

ARABS started it. The Jews did not organize to fight back for around 20 years. The Palestinian youth are paying for 100 years of armed conflict and terrorism started by their Muslim bretheren. Signing a peace treaty is the only way to end it.

[Elfin]

You are forgetting the violence of the Stern gang which started the senseless violence against the Palestinians.

40 minutes ago, Ulysses G. said:

 

ARABS started it. The Jews did not organize to fight back for around 20 years. The Palestinian youth are paying for 100 years of armed conflict and terrorism started by their Muslim bretheren. Signing a peace treaty is the only way to end it.

Get back to '67 borders and allow the right of return of Palestinian refugees. Bibi just spews crap whenever he opens his sneering mouth.

BDS

[Ulysses G.]

24 minutes ago, Elfin said:

You are forgetting the violence of the Stern gang which started the senseless violence against the Palestinians.

 

Try reading some history books. The Stern gang did not start till the Arabs had been attacking Jews for around 20 years. It took the Jews that long to realize that they had to organize and fight back.

 

Israel will never go back to the 67 borders. They are too hard to defend and the extra territory was won fighting wars started by Arabs. 

Edited September 23, 2016 by Ulysses G.

[Morch]

The same old.

 

Netanyahu actually gave a pretty good speech, regardless if one agrees with his words or believes them. At least it contained something which could be perceived as optimistic. Some disappointment no props were used. Abbas's address, on the other hand, was basically a repeat of last year's pessimistic speech. Don't know if it was a timing thing or lack of interest, but attendance at both addresses was not impressive. Could be a sign of the times.

 

Netanyahu says an awful lot of things. Then again, he also goes back on his word pretty often. Guess labeling it good or bad is a matter of perspective. I do not believe that he is sincere, nor that he is actually prepared to pay the price peace requires. Inasmuch as he thinks long term (and he doesn't), there is not much future in peace stocks. There could be a combination of circumstances which may push him towards peace, but chances all will converge does seem far-fetched at the moment. IMO, Netanyahu does not have a clear vision as to how the conflict may be resolved, or even how the Israeli occupation can be sustained. He simply manages from one crisis to the next. That's pretty much congruent with the way he handles almost all issues.

 

So, yes, the invitation for Abbas was a gimmick of sorts. Fair enough. l wonder, though, what would have happened if Abbas accepted. Not in the sense that something serious would come out of it, but it could have been an opportunity to put Netanyahu on the spot. Would also have scored Abbas some serious cookie points with international support.

 

 But obviously, Abbas can't accept, domestic politics and Netanyahu being dodgy as they are. Mainly, Abbas seems tired and a little desperate. Things aren't going anywhere with inter-Palestinian reconciliation, the so-called peace process....smells funny, and the international community less involved than expected. Considering his age and political situation, unlikely he'll see the promised land never mind lead his people there.

 

It could be that the inevitable change of leadership would propose new opportunities, but as it stands, it would be a result even if a clone of lackluster Abbas will ascend.

 

As posted on previous topics, despite the number of posts in generates on this forum, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is presently not a top priority issue with regard to most relevant international players. Most are occupied (no pun intended) by matters closer to home or of greater magnitude. These conditions are not going away anytime soon, and IMO this spells more of the same as far as the conflict is concerned. There may be peaks of interest (a diplomatic initiative, a rise in violence levels, another conflagration), but doubt these will materialize as major changes.

 

[Morch]

14 hours ago, Ulysses G. said:

Good for Netanyahu. He made another attempt to make peace without abandoning principles. The man is tough but fair.

 

He made the appearance of attempting to make peace.

His principals are somewhat negotiable.

He is neither tough, nor fair.

 

The first is self explanatory.

The second and third would be obvious if one keeps tabs on what Netanyahu actually does, as opposed to what he says. This might not be such a bad thing when it comes to the chances of peace.