Mahmoud Abbas: U.S. ‘no longer an honest mediator’ in peace efforts
Palestinian president Will no longer accept any plans put forward by America due to their recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has insisted he will no longer accept any US plans for peace in the Middle East because of the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
During a visit to Paris, Mr Abbas urged France and wider Europe to play a stronger role in peace efforts, as he said the United States was “no longer an honest mediator” in the process.
The Palestinian leader met French president Emmanuel Macron in the nation’s capital a day after the UN General Assembly resolution denouncing US president Donald Trump’s decision.
During a news conference, Mr Macron was careful not to take sides, saying: “The American mistake was to want to unilaterally manage from afar a situation whose solution is in the hands of the Israelis and Palestinians.”
However, Mr Abbas said: “We will not accept any plan from the United States of America because of its bias and violation of the international law.”
He also denounced the US threat to cut financial aid for countries who voted to back the UN resolution.
“We call upon countries that did not recognise Palestine yet to do so to preserve the two-state solution before it’s too late,” he added.
Mr Macron reaffirmed his disapproval of Mr Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The French president recalled he met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this month in Paris and urged him to make “courageous gestures” to help revive peace talks, including freezing Israel’s construction of settlements on occupied lands.
EU leaders, including Mr Macron, have reiterated support for establishing an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
On Thursday, the UN General Assembly voted 128-9 with 35 abstentions in favour of the non-binding resolution countering the US recognition of Jerusalem.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
