Abbas claims "he has acted to establish and strengthen the culture of peace" and that "Palestine stands against terror and violence"
Headline: “The [PA] president receives the Steiger Award, a coveted German prize for tolerance and hope for peace
*Mahmoud Abbas: The conflict with Israel is not against Judaism, but rather against the occupation
*I established the [PLO] Committee for Contact [with Israeli Society] in order to support tolerance and coexistence on the basis of the two-state solution
*Even though 70 years have passed since the Nakba (i.e., “the catastrophe,” the Palestinian term for the establishment of the State of Israel) and 50 since the occupation, we extend our hands to peace”
“[PA] President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday evening [March 25, 2017] received the Steiger Award, a coveted German prize for tolerance and hope for peace, which is awarded to people who are characterized by integrity, openness, humaneness, and tolerance…
In a speech that he gave at the award reception ceremony in the city of Dortmund in Germany, the president said: ‘Judaism is a monotheistic religion that we completely respect, like Christianity and Islam. Our conflict with Israel is not against Judaism, but rather against the occupation that rules over our land and our people.’
He added: ‘I established a committee known as the Committee for Contact with All Elements of the Israeli People (i.e., the PLO Committee for Contact with Israeli Society) in order to establish tolerance and coexistence on the basis of the principle of two states on the 1967 borders, so that the State of Palestine whose capital is East Jerusalem will live alongside the State of Israel in security and peace.’
The president noted that the State of Palestine signed an agreement in a precedent-setting manner with the churches in Palestine, and that the Vatican has recognized the State of Palestine. He emphasized that he has acted to establish and strengthen the culture of peace, dialogue, abandonment of violence, and activity through political, diplomatic, and peaceful means in order to put an end to the Israeli occupation…
The president emphasized support for dialogue between religions and cultures, and said: ‘Recently we encouraged the connection between Al-Azhar (i.e., a leading Islamic institution located in Egypt) and the Vatican, and we are sure that understandings will grow from this that will contribute to the establishment of peace, tolerance, and coexistence between all of the religions in our region and in the world.’ He also emphasized that Palestine stands against terror and violence in our region and in the world, whatever their source and form may be.”
*Mahmoud Abbas: The conflict with Israel is not against Judaism, but rather against the occupation
*I established the [PLO] Committee for Contact [with Israeli Society] in order to support tolerance and coexistence on the basis of the two-state solution
*Even though 70 years have passed since the Nakba (i.e., “the catastrophe,” the Palestinian term for the establishment of the State of Israel) and 50 since the occupation, we extend our hands to peace”
“[PA] President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday evening [March 25, 2017] received the Steiger Award, a coveted German prize for tolerance and hope for peace, which is awarded to people who are characterized by integrity, openness, humaneness, and tolerance…
In a speech that he gave at the award reception ceremony in the city of Dortmund in Germany, the president said: ‘Judaism is a monotheistic religion that we completely respect, like Christianity and Islam. Our conflict with Israel is not against Judaism, but rather against the occupation that rules over our land and our people.’
He added: ‘I established a committee known as the Committee for Contact with All Elements of the Israeli People (i.e., the PLO Committee for Contact with Israeli Society) in order to establish tolerance and coexistence on the basis of the principle of two states on the 1967 borders, so that the State of Palestine whose capital is East Jerusalem will live alongside the State of Israel in security and peace.’
The president noted that the State of Palestine signed an agreement in a precedent-setting manner with the churches in Palestine, and that the Vatican has recognized the State of Palestine. He emphasized that he has acted to establish and strengthen the culture of peace, dialogue, abandonment of violence, and activity through political, diplomatic, and peaceful means in order to put an end to the Israeli occupation…
The president emphasized support for dialogue between religions and cultures, and said: ‘Recently we encouraged the connection between Al-Azhar (i.e., a leading Islamic institution located in Egypt) and the Vatican, and we are sure that understandings will grow from this that will contribute to the establishment of peace, tolerance, and coexistence between all of the religions in our region and in the world.’ He also emphasized that Palestine stands against terror and violence in our region and in the world, whatever their source and form may be.”