The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) strongly criticized Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ speech to the United Nations General Assembly calling his remarks “the latest and most blatant public repudiation of peace and reconciliation with Israel.”

Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:’’President Abbas stood before the world at the U.N. podium and delivered the latest and most blatant public repudiation of peace and reconciliation with Israel. In a speech rife with outright lies and incitement about shared holy sites in Jerusalem, historical half-truths on the conflict, and a pro forma litany of grievances and accusations, Abbas dramatically announced the end of negotiations, reconciliation and peace with Israel, while, at the same time demanding international action to bring about Palestinian statehood.’’

He added, ‘’Long on complaints, short on practical steps, Abbas once again showed the international community that the Palestinians remain rooted to a strategy of symbolism, obfuscation and excuses which will do little to bring benefits to average Palestinians or bring closer their goal of statehood. How sad for the Palestinian people that their leadership has spent decades engaged in a strategy so damaging to their legitimate aspirations.’’

Greenblatt concluded, ‘’instead of applauding fiery speeches and encouraging symbolic flag raisings and recognitions, the international community should clearly convey to Mr. Abbas and other Palestinian leadership that denial of the Jewish connection to the holy sites in Jerusalem is anti-Semitic and must stop, and that only through direct, difficult, serious and sustained bilateral negotiations with the Jewish State of Israel will Palestinian aspirations be recognized.’’