Abbas’ UN speech draws deeper wedge between Palestinians
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip were deeply divided over President Mahmoud Abbas’ address to the UN General Assembly meeting, as Hamas and Fatah exchange attacks in the media while arrest campaigns on both sides continue.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gave a speech before the United Nations Sept. 27, triggering a wave of media accusations between Hamas and Fatah. Security forces in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip targeted advocates of both parties in reciprocal arrest campaigns between Sept. 24 and 27.
During his speech before a session of the UN General Assembly, Abbas addressed Hamas, saying, “Maybe in the coming few days we’ll witness the last round of talks and then maybe we will take another action.”
He added, “We will not bear any responsibility if Hamas insists on refusing to abide by the agreement,” in reference to the Gaza Strip.
Hamas responded to Abbas with an official statement Sept. 27, saying, “By describing the resistance as a militia and terrorist group before the UN and refusing its arms, Abbas stabbed the Palestinian people, their history, resistance and martyrs … in the back. He also used that platform to announce division from the Gaza Strip and to threaten its people, thus jeopardizing the future of the reconciliation and the national composition.”
