Wearing a key symbolizing the Palestinian demand for a “right of return” for Palestinian refugees, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas asks why the UN remains silent about Israel’s violations instead of sanctioning the Jewish state as other countries have been sanctioned.
He accuses the UN of “double standards” in Israel’s favor, treating it as above the law.
He pledges that the PA will continue its campaign in international fora and demands Palestine be admitted as a full state in the UN.
Abbas calls for apologies and reparations from Israel. He also singles out the UK and the US, saying they supported the 1917 Balfour Declaration that recognized a national home for Jews in historic Palestine.
“In light of the deadlock due to Israel’s policies,” Abbas asks the UN secretary-general to convene an international peace conference, which could be the “last opportunity” to salvage the two-state solution.