Minister for Defense Moshe Ya'alon (Likud) has responded to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's speech at the United Nations.
"And again: a speech full of lies and incitement by Abu Mazen [another name for Abbas] against the State of Israel," said Ya'alon. "Time after time it was offered to Abu Mazan, and it is proposed to him even now, to sit at the negotiating table without preconditions in order to discuss the issues that stand at the heart of the conflict, for the good of Israelis and Palestinians and for the future generations. Time after time he avoids responsibility, and instead chooses unilateral moves and hate campaigns, including spreading lies, incitement and attempts to question the Jewish people's legitimacy and rights."
He added, "If Abu Mazen was honest in his intentions, he would stop the incitement against the State of Israel in the Palestinian educational system, and cease making his hate speeches to the world in general and the UN in particular. But for Abu Mazen, the conflict is not about territory but about our very existence here. This is the reality we must deal with, and we are doing so decisively, responsibly, and wisely, for the sake of the citizens of the State of Israel."