Netanyahu's UN speech 'denies Palestinian existence': PLO leader

Head of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation Saeb Erekat on Thursday slammed the Israeli prime minister’s United Nations speech, saying it “blames the victim”.

Binyamin Netanyahu on Wednesday lashed out at the Palestinian leadership at the UN General Assembly for saying the controversial Nation State law is racist.

“President Abbas, you proudly pay Palestinian terrorists who murder Jews. In fact, the more they slay, the more you pay. That’s in their law too. And you condemn Israel’s morality? You call Israel racist?” Netanyahu said after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel's nation state bill will nullify the two-state solution.

“This is not the way to peace. This is not the way to achieve the peace we all want and need and to which Israel remains committed. This body should not be applauding the head of a regime that pays terrorists. The UN should condemn such a despicable policy,” he added.

Erekat in his response scolded Netanyahu, accusing him of “victimising the criminal” and denying Palestinians their right to exist.

"Netanyahu’s speech is a combination of old and well-known talking points that conclude on victimising the criminal and blaming the victim," he said, according to Palestinian Authority news agency WAFA.

"His speech further exposes Israel’s systematic denial of our right to exist, to live in freedom and to celebrate our national identity."

"Despite the oppression, racism and daily violence, the proud and resilient people of Palestine will continue to remain steadfast and to believe in the achievement of our inalienable rights, to live in freedom and in dignity. For the Israeli government, not only are the issues of Jerusalem and the Palestinian refugees off the table, but also Palestine's very existence", Erekat added.

‘Apartheid bill’

The nation-state law passed in July declared Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people, provoking fears it could lead to blatant discrimination against Arab citizens.

Arab lawmakers and Palestinians called the law "racist" and said it legalised "apartheid" following a tumultuous debate in parliament.

Others said it neglects to specify equality and Israel's democratic character, implying that the country's Jewish nature comes first.

The European Union expressed concern and called for the rights of minorities to be respected.

The legislation, adopted by 62 votes to 55, makes Hebrew the country's national language and defines the establishment of Jewish communities as being in the national interest.

Arabic, previously considered an official language, was granted only special status.

The law speaks of Israel as the historic homeland of the Jews and says they have a "unique" right to self-determination there, according to its final text.

Shortly after the bill was passed, Netanyahu lambasted Jewish Israelis who were against the controversial legislation, accusing them of siding with “the other”.

“The attacks from Leftist circles, which define themselves as Zionists, are absurd and reveal the depths to which the Left has fallen,” Netanyahu said late July.