Abbas: Israel "has tried to foster ignorance in our nation, and [thus] destroy it"

"Yesterday at the Presidential Residence in Ramallah, the President [Abbas] honored those who excelled in the matriculation examinations for 2011-2012… He noted: 'Our people strives for education. Through [education] it has succeeded in coping with the difficult conditions of the occupation, through which [the occupation] has tried to foster ignorance in our nation, and [thus] destroy it.' He noted that the illiteracy rate in Palestine has reached zero, proving our people's desire and ability to excel and to stand out. … In his words to the Turkish Anatolia news agency… concerning the details of the investigation into the Martyr death of the late leader Yasser Arafat, President Abbas noted that an international committee on the matter has not yet been formed. He emphasized that he is fully prepared to aid in the matter, including permitting the grave to be opened."