ADL slams Abbas for accusing Israel of 'genocide' against Palestinians

Foxman demands US, EU condemn Palestinian leader for remarks made during cabinet session in Ramallah.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Mahmoud Abbas (photo credit: REUTERS)
Mahmoud Abbas
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The Anti-Defamation League on Thursday demanded Western condemnation of Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas' statements describing Israel’s military operation against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip as “genocide against the Palestinian people.”
Abbas accused Israel on Wednesday of committing “genocide” against the Palestinians, and said the coming days will be “difficult.”
Abbas, who was speaking after an emergency meeting of the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah to discuss the IDF operations in the Gaza Strip, said the Israeli “war” on the Palestinians began in Hebron before moving to Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
“This war is not against Hamas or any faction, but against the Palestinian people,” Abbas said. “We must have a say about what’s happening and what could happen in the coming days, which will be difficult.”
“This is unacceptable language and accusations coming from the leader of the Palestinian Authority,” ADL chief Abe Foxman said.
“We are used to the outrageous criticisms of Israel coming from Palestinians, but President Abbas has reached a new low in calling Israel’s self-defense action, after hundreds of rockets have been launched at Israeli civilians, a ‘genocide.’” “Mr. Abbas is frequently referred to as a ‘moderate’ Palestinian leader, and many still hold out hope that this is true,” Foxman said. “At a time when the Middle East is overrun with extremism in places like Syria and Iraq, to have the leader of the Palestinian Authority further inflame the region with these outrageous comments, is disappointing and dangerous.”
“We call on the United States, the European Union and other responsible governments to clearly, forcefully and unequivocally denounce these outrageous statements from President Abbas,” he said.