Mahmoud Abbas: Israel's right to exist is a "lie"
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas: ‘‘Ninety-nine years have passed since the ominous Balfour Promise (i.e., Declaration). The unfair [promise]. However, we will not turn the lie (i.e., Israel being the ancient Jewish homeland) into an accepted truth. Our people’s right to its homeland is permanent and authentic. It does not expire, not even if historical facts are falsified. Palestine will remain despite the Nakba (i.e., “the catastrophe,” establishment of the State of Israel in 1948), the Naksa (i.e., "the setback," Israel's victory in the Six Day War in 1967), and the suffering which has continued for decades. We will never raise the white flag. [Our flag] will continue to be composed of the four colors.”
The rest of Abbas' speech (not broadcast on PA radio) criticizing Britain for issuing the Balfour Declaration: “You gave what is not yours to one who has no right”
[Official PA TV, Abbas’ speech at rally marking the 12th anniversary of Yasser Arafat’s death, Nov. 10, 2016]
We say to those who gave this promise: ‘‘You [Britain] gave what is not yours to one [the Jewish people] who has no right to it.’’ Many have wondered: Why are we talking about it now? We said that the right does not expire, that the right does not age. Even after 100, 200, 1,000 [years], the right will remain alive. It will remain our obligation to defend our right. Balfour, who gave you the right to sell our land? And to tell people [the Jews]: ‘‘This is a homeland for you.’’? ... Give them [a state] in Britain, man, in Scotland, or at least in Ireland. Why in Palestine? He gave [Jews land] in Palestine and that became their right. No! Britain must first acknowledge that it made a mistake regarding our right.”
[Official PA TV, Abbas’ speech at rally marking the 12th anniversary of Yasser Arafat’s death, Nov. 10, 2016]