Abbas condemns IS and says no one has right to murder “any human being"
In his Christmas Eve speech, Abbas strongly condemned IS and stated, “We say to anyone who commits a crime against any human being: Who gave [you] the right to murder any human being?" This statement stands in contrast to the policy espoused by Abbas and his Fatah party, in which Palestinians terrorist murderers are glorified on a regular basis. For examples, see here and here.
“[PA] President Mahmoud Abbas participated in the midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity and in the Christmas celebrations according to the Eastern calendar…”
[From the full version of Abbas’ speech at the event:]
“We honestly say that we cannot imagine Palestine without Christians, for they have deep roots in this land. Since the Pact of Umar (pact signed between the Muslims and Christians of Syria after the Muslim conquest of 637), we have been living in harmony and there is no difference between Christian and Muslim. And so we will remain forever, Allah willing.
I must address the terrorism taking place everywhere, which we are dealing with and which we oppose. We say to anyone who commits a crime against any human being: Who gave [you] the right to murder a Sunni, a Shia, a Christian, an Alawite or a Yazidi? Who gave [you] the right to murder any human being? (i.e., allusion to crimes committed by the Islamic State against people belonging to these faiths.)
We say to them: You have nothing to do with religion or Islam; you are beside the subject. Allah will call you to account for the crimes being committed – [whether] against Sunnis, Shias or Christians – but Praise be to Allah, this issue does not exist among us, for we are fully conscious, and we live in a holy land that respects human beings, sanctifies [human] blood and protects its dignity.
Brothers, we have turned to the [UN] Security Council because we have despaired of any effort that may lead us to a solution… We have not turned to violence or killing, because that is not our policy. Our policy is to address the international community and the international and diplomatic forums, in order to attain our right and this nation’s right to self-definition – [this nation,] which for over six decades has lived, and is still living, under occupation. And yet, unfortunately, the Security Council has failed – not us. It failed in realizing the right recognized by the UN General Assembly. There is heavy pressure, which we do not wish to discuss. The question is: What did we demand? We demanded a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem, occupied in 1967, as its capital. We are asking for a [set] timeframe for negotiations, but we will not agree to unlimited negotiations, [which will go on] forever.”
“[PA] President Mahmoud Abbas participated in the midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity and in the Christmas celebrations according to the Eastern calendar…”
[From the full version of Abbas’ speech at the event:]
“We honestly say that we cannot imagine Palestine without Christians, for they have deep roots in this land. Since the Pact of Umar (pact signed between the Muslims and Christians of Syria after the Muslim conquest of 637), we have been living in harmony and there is no difference between Christian and Muslim. And so we will remain forever, Allah willing.
I must address the terrorism taking place everywhere, which we are dealing with and which we oppose. We say to anyone who commits a crime against any human being: Who gave [you] the right to murder a Sunni, a Shia, a Christian, an Alawite or a Yazidi? Who gave [you] the right to murder any human being? (i.e., allusion to crimes committed by the Islamic State against people belonging to these faiths.)
We say to them: You have nothing to do with religion or Islam; you are beside the subject. Allah will call you to account for the crimes being committed – [whether] against Sunnis, Shias or Christians – but Praise be to Allah, this issue does not exist among us, for we are fully conscious, and we live in a holy land that respects human beings, sanctifies [human] blood and protects its dignity.
Brothers, we have turned to the [UN] Security Council because we have despaired of any effort that may lead us to a solution… We have not turned to violence or killing, because that is not our policy. Our policy is to address the international community and the international and diplomatic forums, in order to attain our right and this nation’s right to self-definition – [this nation,] which for over six decades has lived, and is still living, under occupation. And yet, unfortunately, the Security Council has failed – not us. It failed in realizing the right recognized by the UN General Assembly. There is heavy pressure, which we do not wish to discuss. The question is: What did we demand? We demanded a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem, occupied in 1967, as its capital. We are asking for a [set] timeframe for negotiations, but we will not agree to unlimited negotiations, [which will go on] forever.”