Dinner and Conversation with President Mahmoud Abbas
Dinner and Conversation with President Mahmoud Abbas
September 23, 2013
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
The Plaza Hotel, New York City
—TRANSCRIPT—
Mahmoud Abbas:
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I am Mahmoud Abbas, Abu Mazen, President of the observer Palestinian state. I am 78 years old. I hope that I will see peace prevailing in the Middle East between us and the Israelis; I hope it will come soon. I am honored once again to be with the leaders of the American Jewish community. On July 30 we resumed negotiations on all core issues. This would not have happened without the active and constructive efforts made by President Obama and Secretary Kerry. The US will be a full partner in these negotiations. We will address all permanent status issues – Jerusalem, borders, settlements, refugees, security and prisoners. In the period of the next six to nine months we seek a comprehensive agreement including an end of claims and end of conflict. In exchange for Israel’s commitment to release 104 prisoners pre-1993, I committed not to make accession to any of the UN agencies and conventions during the 6-9 month period. We also agreed to continue fulfilling our security obligations and we will shoulder all commitments emanating from agreements signed – the road map and Arab Peace Initiative of 2002.
It should be noted that if Israel withdraws from territories occupied in 1967, 57 Arab and Muslim nations will normalize relations with Israel. Ladies and gentlemen, we want to achieve a lasting, just and comprehensive peace. We can do it. Make no mistake, no one gains more from reaching an agreement than Palestinians and no one loses more if we fail to reach an agreement. Failure is not an option. … Concerning reconciliation between the West Bank and Gaza, we will do it when Hamas accepts to go to elections – presidential and legislative. Reconciliation will not be a burden on negotiations. There is no contradiction at all between reconciliation and negotiations. Meanwhile we will continue with our institution building for the state of Palestine. I reiterate to you that the state of Palestine will be an example of democracy, human rights, women’s rights, accountability, transparency and the rule of law. On the changes in the Arab world – democracy and peace are essential. We are taking a neutral position toward Syria, Lebanon Egypt and elsewhere. We don’t interfere. …
We need your support to ensure the successful conclusion of the peace negotiations so that the state of Palestine can live side by side with the state of Israel in peace and security on the 67 borders. I urge the Israeli government to focus on building peace and not building settlements. It’s time to achieve peace in the Holy Land. It’s time for Jews, Christians and Muslims to show the similarities of the greatness of these three faiths. It is time to replace hatred, conflict, bloodshed and incitement with cooperation, building together and realizing the potential of Israelis and Palestinians in times of peace. As I said in the beginning, I am 78 years
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