Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh rejects Abbas statement on Israel violence

Dec. 18, 2015, PITTSBURGH, PA — The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh abhors and rejects the comments of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who yesterday called the terror attacks on Israeli citizens a “justified popular uprising.” Abbas claimed that the attackers are “driven by despair” because there has been no recent progress toward a two-state solution. 

“What kind of partner in peace is this?” asked Josh Sayles, director of community relations, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “This so-called ‘justified popular uprising’ consists of daily attempts by Palestinians to murder innocent Israeli civilians by any means possible: knives, axes, hammers, rocks and guns, even driving cars into crowds.” 

On Monday in Jerusalem, a Palestinian man rammed his car into a group of people, injuring 14, including a baby boy and a woman in her 70s. 

A poll released Monday by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research shows that two-thirds of Palestinians support the recent wave of violence against Israelis. Respondents said that they felt the violence would “serve Palestinian national interests in ways that negotiations could not.” 

“Abbas’ recent statement is a sign that the majority of Palestinian leadership may be interested in a two-state solution, but not necessarily by peaceful means,” said Sayles. “This situation underscores the importance of a two-state solution that is reached through negotiations, with the United States serving as the moderator. 

Sayles added, “Many of these deaths could be curbed by a clear and swift condemnation of violence. The Israeli government regularly offers such condemnations. It is shameful that Abbas has chosen to do the opposite.” 

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, one of 151 independent Federations associated with The Jewish Federations of North America, raises and allocates funds to build community locally, in Israel and around the world. With the vision of a thriving, vibrant and engaged Jewish community, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh aims to carry out its work in the context of cooperation and inclusiveness.