September 21, 2023 — New York
New York—September 21, 2023—American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO Ted Deutch today decried Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas' address at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, during which he once again perpetuated baseless, hateful attacks against Israel.
Among his most absurd claims, Abbas downplayed Palestinian terror attacks by referring to them as “peaceful popular resistance,” suggested that Israel is “entrenching apartheid,” and claimed that Israel is threatening the structural integrity of the Al-Aqsa mosque by digging tunnels near the Temple Mount.
“President Abbas’ speech today was full of the same distortions and outright lies he has brought to the UN for years,” Deutch said. “Instead of trying to end conflict, as a true leader would do, he foments hatred that only leads to more terror and violence. It’s absurd that he raises the path to a two-state solution without taking any steps to work toward achieving that goal. As long as he insists on demonizing Jews and Israel, peace will remain out of reach.”
“Despite the fact that prospects for a two-state solution have felt out of reach for far too long, AJC refuses to give up hope that peace between Israelis and Palestinians can be achieved. We will continue to support programs that help to advance Israeli-Palestinian cooperation as a key step to building a lasting peace in the region.”
AJC is leading the Jewish community’s diplomatic outreach to world leaders gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, holding more than 75 meetings with world leaders. AJC has worked on the ground in the Middle East and North Africa for more than half a century to widen the circle of peace in the Middle East by forging relationships between Israel and Arab nations.
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 offices across the United States, 14 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. More at AJC.org.
