Abbas’ Holocaust remark stirs anger in Israel, Germany
Israeli leaders are furious with remarks made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas belittling the Holocaust, and on German soil of all places.
Israel’s ambassador in Berlin Ron Prosor said yesterday that German politicians are furious with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "for exploiting the stage he got.” The ambassador opined that Abbas would no longer be welcomed in Berlin.
At a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Aug. 16, Abbas was asked whether he would apologize on behalf of the Palestinian assailants who carried out the 1972 Munich Olympics terrorist attack in which 11 Israelis were killed. Abbas did not reply directly, but rather addressed the Palestinian situation and accused Israel of "50 massacres, 50 Holocausts" against Palestinians since 1947.
“If we want to dig further into the past, yes, please, I have 50 massacres that were committed by Israel. Which were also recorded in documentaries … 50 massacres, 50 Holocausts, and to this day every day we have dead people killed by the [Israeli Defense Forces], by the Israeli army,” Abbas said. He then added, "Our demand is to say: Enough … I don't want more than peace. Please come to peace, come to security, let's build trust between us and you."
Prime Minister Yair Lapid condemned Abbas, tweeting "Mahmoud Abbas accusing Israel of having committed '50 Holocausts' while standing on German soil is not only a moral disgrace, but a monstrous lie. Six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust, including one and a half million Jewish children. History will never forgive him."
