Prime Minister Naftali Bennett harshly criticized Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Saturday for using his address at the United Nations General Assembly to threaten Israel to reverse its recognition of the 1967 borders unless it withdrew from the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem within one year.
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"We do not define ourselves according to others, not Iran and not the Palestinians, and in any case, I suggest that their leaders start focusing on helping their people, improve their situation and stop their obsession with the State of Israel," Bennett told reporters at Ben-Gurion International Airport moments before departing for New York, where he is slated to address the UNGA on Monday.
In a pre-recorded message on Friday, Abbas said: "The Israeli authorities have one year to withdraw from the Palestinian territory it occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem," and even threatened to press charges against Israel in the International Criminal Court.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz also lambasted Abbas, calling his ultimatum "a tall tree that will be hard to climb down from."
"It is important to remember one thing – no one is going anywhere," he told local media. "The only way to deal with this reality is to develop security, develop the economy and strengthen the governance of the Palestinian Authority."
While the defense minister criticized Abbas for the ultimatum, he nevertheless commended the Palestinian leader for pursuing a diplomatic resolution with Israel. Gantz met with Abbas earlier in August to discuss "defense issues concerning Israel and the PA", according to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office.
At Ben-Gurion Airport, Bennett also addressed the latest decision by the US House of Representatives to pass the Iron Dome replenishment budget, saying that "in the moment of truth, representatives of the American people overwhelmingly supported Israel. There's a small anti-Israel group that makes a lot of noise, but they failed."
This is the prime minister's second trip to the US within a month, having visited Washington earlier in August for the first time since taking office, to meet with US President Joe Biden.
Bennett is expected to give a speech at the UN on Monday afternoon, Israel time, before the beginning of the Simchat Torah holiday in Israel. Speaking to reporters, he expressed excitement at the opportunity to address the member-states.
"It is an important international stage and I am very happy to bring Israel's voice onto this important stage. It is an opportunity to speak of Israel's achievements, about the special spirit of the Israeli people, and our contribution to the world."
The prime minister is expected to speak, among other things, about the Iranian nuclear threat, the Palestinian economic crisis, and climate change.
During his trip to New York, Bennett will also meet with representatives of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He is expected to address representatives of the Jewish Federations of North America and other organizations as well.
The prime minister will stay in the United States for Simchat Torah and return to Israel on Wednesday evening.
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