​B’nai B’rith International is outraged over Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas’ repeating a false and malicious allegation that an Israeli rabbinical council and rabbi asked the Israeli government to poison Palestinian water sources. Abbas made this heinous declaration today, in Brussels, when he delivered an appeal to the European Union (EU) Parliament addressing the two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.
 
“Accusing Israel of this appalling crime is unfounded, and only furthers the Palestinian narrative and Abbas’ political agenda,” B’nai B’rith International President Gary P. Saltzman said.
 
During his speech, Abbas also asserted that if Israel were to leave the West Bank, terrorism would cease to exist, not only in the Middle East, but around the world. Given the state of chaos in the Middle East this statement flies directly in the face of reality.
 
“To use Israel as a scapegoat for terrorism that occurs all over the world is quite simply, slanderous. Abbas’ rhetoric sets back any prospects for peace, as his appeal only encourages incitement against Israel and its people,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “Abbas’ classic anti-Semitic canards harken back to the dark days of the Middle Ages.”