The Palestinian president on Thursday said Israelis should choose peace over West Bank settlements. Mahmoud Abbas spoke at a rally observing the sixth anniversary of the death of his predecessor, Yasser Arafat. Thousands attended, the AP reported.
In his speech, Abbas said children on both sides should "taste coexistence ... before the opportunity is lost."
He also asserted his government's right to petition the United Nations Security Council to recognize a Palestinian state. "(The Israelis) on a daily basis commit unilateral moves, beginning with the separation wall, settlements, checkpoints, incursions, and killings... and this all is not called a unilateral move?" Abbas asked.
