Abbas slams Jewish nationhood bill as 'obstacle to peace'
Visiting South Africa, Palestinian President Abbas says he supports Knesset members who oppose plan to cement Israel's status as official nation-state of Jewish people.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he supports Israeli members of parliament who oppose the plan to formalize Israel's status as a Jewish state.
Speaking in the South African capital, Pretoria, Wednesday, Abbas said it is important that the Israeli government and citizens consider what the proposed law may mean for peace in the region.
"We need to ask this question to the Israeli people and to ask this to the Israeli government: What does this bill mean for peace?" Abbas said, speaking through a translator.
Abbas made similar comments on Tuesday, saying that the government’s adoption of a the nationhood bill constitutes an obstacle to peace, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
“We do not want to harm anyone … Still, we do not want anyone to harm our people and our holy sites, the Islamic, Christian, and Jewish ones,” Abbas said, adding, “For us, all of them are sacred and therefore, we will not allow anyone to harm them.”
Meanwhile, South African President Jacob Zuma Wednesday called for "a total halt to settlements" during a joint press conference with Abbas.
"We reiterate our call for a full cessation of all settlement activities," said President Zuma, claiming they "undermine hopes" for a two-state solution.
"The only way to move towards a lasting peace, is frank and sincere negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel. South Africa is ready to assist in this process," added Mr. Zuma.
The Palestinian president expressed gratitude for South Africa's support: "Thank you immensely for your understanding, your support and continued presence in our struggel," he said to his host.
Both men recalled the historical ties that have linked the ANC, now in power in Pretoria, and the Palestinian movement, at the time when the ANC was struggling against the segregationist apartheid regime before the first democratic elections and Nelson Mandela's rise to tower in 1994.
At the time, Israel and the apartheid regime had close relations, particularly in the field of armaments, AFP reported.
The Associated Press and AFP contributed to this report
