July 27, 2011

Abbas tells Palestinians: Step up Arab Spring-style protests against Israel

For first time, Palestinian president openly urges popular activism in support of his initiative to seek UN recognition of a Palestinian state.

by Reuters via Haaretz

http://www.jewishjournal.com/ world/article/abbas_tells_palestinians_step_up_arab_spring-style_protests_against_israel_/

President Mahmoud Abbas (2007)

President Mahmoud Abbas urged Palestinians on Wednesday to step up peaceful protests against Israel, urging “popular resistance” inspired by the Arab Spring to back a diplomatic offensive at the United Nations.

Abbas, addressing a Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) meeting, reiterated his decision to seek full UN membership for Palestinian state alongside Israel, saying it was a diplomatic move resulting from paralysis in the U.S.-backed peace process.

“In this coming period, we want mass action, organized and coordinated in every place,” Abbas said. “This is a chance to raise our voices in front of the world and say that we want our rights.”

Though the United States is expected to block their quest for a full seat, the Palestinians expect to secure at least an upgrade in their UN status during September’s General Assembly meeting in New York.