Liberman at UN: Abbas has lost all connection to reality

Foreign minister lashes out at PA president, saying he has increased his anti-Israel rhetoric as a way of bolstering himself domestically.

By HERB KEINON
Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman speaks during a news conference in Jerusalem. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman speaks during a news conference in Jerusalem.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
UNITED NATIONS – Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has lost his legitimacy to speak on behalf of the Palestinian people, and his strident rhetoric at the UN is an effort to improve his domestic status, Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said on Monday.
Liberman, at a brief press conference in the halls of the UN an hour before Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was to address the General Assembly, characterized Abbas’s UN speech last week as a “message of hate and incitement.”
“It is clear that he has no intention to make peace with Israel,” the foreign minister said.
Questioning Abbas’s ability to speak on behalf of the Palestinians, Liberman said that not only does he have no control over the Gaza Strip, he has postponed Palestinian parliamentary and presidential elections for more than four years.
“The problem with Mr. Mahmoud Abbas is that he is always insulted, and remembers every slight inflicted upon him since he was born,” he said. “That is not the way to build credibility with your partners.”
Abbas has “lost connection with reality” and “shoots in all directions,” Liberman said.
Regarding whether Israel would do anything to initiate a comprehensive agreement, Liberman said that for this you need not only goodwill, but also a partner.
“As long as there is not a partner on the other side, it is impossible to stand with a stopwatch and place pressure on ourselves. I suggest that we be patient. We are willing to go for a serious, comprehensive solution, but as long as there is no partner, this will remain on the shelf,” the foreign minister said.
Asked about the negotiations between the world powers and Iran, Liberman said if Tehran acquires nuclear capabilities, the immediate result will be a nuclear arms race in the whole Middle East.
Israel is monitoring the developments closely, and keeping “all options on the table,” Liberman said.