Abbas' UN Speech on Israel an Empty 'Bombshell'
JERUSALEM, Israel -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says he's no longer bound by deals made with Israel.
He told world leaders Wednesday at the United Nations he no longer has to abide by the agreements that pave the way for a two-state solution with Israel.
Abbas' statements came as the Palestinian Authority was allowed to raise its flag at United Nations headquarters for the first time.
CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief Chris Mitchell discusses what Abbas's speech means for Israel. Click play to watch.
Abbas promised the Palestinian flag will be raised in Jerusalem soon, referring to Israel's capital as "the capital of our Palestinian state."
Most Israeli analysts were unimpressed by his remarks.
Jerusalem Post Palestinian Affairs correspondent Khaled Abu Toameh called the speech "a bombshell that makes much noise and little damage."
"Instead, he repeated his old threat to abandon signed accords with Israel 'as long as Israel refuses to commit to the agreements with us," Toameh explained. "For now, it's clear that Abbas's speech is not going to change anything on the ground. Abbas is going nowhere, and so is the Palestinian Authority."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement calling on Abbas to "act responsibly" and answer his proposal for direct negotiations with Israel without preconditions.
"Abu Mazen's [Abbas' nom de guerre] speech was deceitful and encourages incitement and lawlessness in the Middle East, " Netanyahu said. "The fact that time after time he does not respond is the best proof that he has no intention of reaching a peace agreement."
