SWC: Speeches at United Nations General Assembly by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Are a Stark Contrast Between Hate and Hope

September 22, 2023

LOS ANGELES –The Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC), a leading Jewish  Human Rights  Organization and an NGO at the United Nations, commended the 30-minute speech given by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action at the SWC, issued the following statement:

Just days before Yom Kippur, Prime Minister Netanyahu used biblical references to lay out the choices before the world: either choose life or death.

The Israeli leader hailed the Abraham Accords shepherded by then US President Trump and acknowledged the leadership of President Biden for his leadership in pushing for peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu used a map of the region to indicate the remarkable positive benefits for the billions of people who would benefit from expanded peace - from India to Europe - with the movement of goods and the application of cutting-edge technology by emphasizing the inclusion of the use of Artificial Intelligence.

The Israeli PM condemned anti-Semitism, whether from the Right or Left and urged the UN to end its incessant anti-Israel resolutions. He denounced the Iranian regime and expressed solidarity for the brave women and men of Iran.

While acknowledging the need and desire to make peace with the Palestinians, Netanyahu said that they no longer have a veto on expanding relationships between Israel and Arab nations.

In stark contrast to Netanyahu’s vision of a more peaceful and prosperous future, Palestinian Authority President Abbas continued his litany of lies and slanders against his Israeli neighbors, from labeling Israel as a “racist” “apartheid” state to falsely charging Israel with “assaulting Christian and Muslim holy sites” and referring to the Temple Mount and the Western Wall as “exclusively Muslim”, Abbas also characterized Palestinian terrorists who murder and maim Israelis as “martyrs”.

Dr. Deborah Soffen, newly appointed Children’s Advocate at the SWC, who attended the United Nations General Assembly, added:

“It is an unspeakable tragedy that generation after generation of Palestinian children are brainwashed to deny the legitimacy of their Jewish neighbors in UNRWA schools and being trained to kill Israelis in Palestinian summer camps. They are fed a nonstop narrative that promotes a culture of death, with deadly and tragic results for both people. The SWC will continue to work with partners who are eager to strengthen and expand the DNA of peace,” Dr. Soffen concluded.

For further information contact the Center’s Communications department at pressinquiries@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed. Media can also contact James Lambert, Vice President at Rubenstein Public Relations, at jlambert@rubensteinpr.com or at 1-212-805-3024.


About the Simon Wiesenthal Center  

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).

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