Mahmoud Abbas's Insults Trigger Reactions from the US and Israel

Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, referred to the US ambassador to Israel as a "puppy" and "settler," prompting reactions from the US and Israel. The US ambassador to Israel implicitly labeled Abbas's comments as "anti-Semitic," and the US State Department criticized such remarks as "counterproductive." According to reports, on Monday, March 18, Mahmoud Abbas harshly criticized the ambassador in response to a tweet, stating during a Palestinian leadership meeting in Ramallah: "The US ambassador claims that Jews are building homes in their land; what a puppy! Are they building homes on their own land? You and your family are settlers." Abbas called the settlements "illegal" and accused the US of only considering Israeli interests in its peace plan. David Friedman, the US ambassador to Israel, responded to Abbas's new remarks, questioning whether they were political in tone or anti-Semitic. Friedman, who was previously Donald Trump's lawyer and had supported Jewish settlements, added that he would leave the judgment to the audience. Heather Nauert, the spokesperson for the US State Department, described Abbas's new comments as "outrageous" and "counterproductive" but emphasized that the US remains committed to "improving the lives of Palestinians and striving for peace." Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted to Abbas's comments by stating that they revealed the "true nature of the Palestinian leader." According to Netanyahu, the new behavior of the US government, which "has stopped decades of leniency towards Palestinians," has caused Palestinian leaders to "lose their composure." However, Wafa, the official news agency of the Palestinian Authority, deleted the part of Abbas's insults directed at the US ambassador. This news agency had previously censored Abbas's harsh remarks about Donald Trump. A few weeks ago, during a meeting of the "Palestine Liberation Organization" leaders, Abbas criticized Trump's decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, saying to him, "May your house be destroyed." Those remarks also sparked various reactions, but Trump stated that what matters to him is "the effort to advance peace." The Trump administration announced months ago that it would implement the congressional resolution recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This decision faced strong backlash from the Palestinian Authority, leading to a severing of relations with the US. The opening ceremony of the US embassy in Jerusalem is set for May 14, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Israel's establishment. About two weeks ago, Trump mentioned during a meeting with Netanyahu in Washington that he is considering personally traveling to Israel for the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem. Recently, Hamas has called for nationwide protests in the Palestinian territories to mark the 100th day of the US decision to move its embassy. Israeli media reports indicate that security assessments show the region's security situation has become more critical, and there is a possibility that violence may resume in the daily lives of both sides. Last Friday, a Palestinian driver attacked a group of Israeli soldiers in northern West Bank, killing two Israeli soldiers and injuring two others; the assailant was arrested, and the Israeli army announced that the home of the terrorist's family would soon be demolished. On Sunday, an Israeli man was killed by a Palestinian assailant's knife in a street in eastern Jerusalem; the attacker was shot dead by security forces on the scene. The issue of settlements has also become one of the knots in the peace plan. Last month, Trump stated in an interview with an Israeli newspaper that "settlements have complicated reaching peace." International law considers the construction of Jewish settlements in occupied territories as "illegal," but Israel rejects this.