Abbas accuses Israel of 'aggressive offensive'
despite day of Palestinian terror attacks

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday accused Israel of stepping up its "aggressive offensive" on Palestinians and their holy sites and said the Palestinians won't accept any change of the status quo at the Temple Mount.

In a speech broadcast on Palestine TV, Abbas also accused Israel of carrying out "field executions" against Palestinians, saying the Palestinians would bring the case before the International Criminal Court.

Abbas did not issue any call to Palestinians to stop the current wave of terrorism. Nor did he condemn the terrorist attacks.

Instead, Abbas warned that Israel's actions threatened peace and stability and could ignite a "religious conflict" between Israelis and Palestinians and the entire world.

"We unequivocally and clearly say that we won't accept a change of the status quo at al-Aksa Mosque," Abbas declared. "We won't permit the passing of any Israeli plans targeting the sanctity of the mosque."

Abbas said the Palestinians "wouldn't surrender to the logic of wanton force, the policies of the occupation and the aggression of the Israeli government and settlers who are practicing terrorism against our people, holy sites, houses and trees."

Abbas accused Israel of "cold-bloodedly executing" Palestinian children, citing the case of Ahmed Manasrah, one of the two assailants who stabbed two Israelis in Jerusalem's Pisgat Ze'ev neighborhood last Monday.

"We will continue with our national struggle, which is based on our right to self-defense, peaceful popular resistance and political and legal struggle," Abbas added. "We won't remain hostage to agreements that are not honored by Israel and we will continue to join international conventions and treaties. We will present new files to the International Criminal Court about the field executions against our sons, daughters and grandchildren. Those who fear international law must stop committing crimes against our people."

In response to Abbas's comments, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Abbas's comments were "lies and incitement."

"The boy Abbas spoke about is alive at Hadassah hospital after stabbing an Israeli boy on his bike," the prime minister said. "As Israel maintains the status quo on the Temple Mount, Abbas with his incitement is making cynical use of religion and causing acts of terrorism."

Deputy foreign minister Tzipi Hotovely also responded, saying that Abbas and his cronies "continue with their lies and incitement." She said his accusations "lay the groundwork for murder and terrorism, sometimes even [encouraging] children to go out and attack."

"The blood of our wounded and murdered citizens is on his hands," she said.