CBS newscaster Margaret Brennan grilled Palestinian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Husam Zomlot on Sunday about not condemning the militant group Hamas and the October 7 attack on Israel. ” and called for recognition of Palestine’s Palestinian rights. Palestinian state.
In an interview on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Brennan said the Israeli government had not properly condemned the Palestinian Authority’s October 7 attack on Israel that killed Hamas and hundreds of civilians. He also pointed out that some tax revenues had been withheld.
Asked by Brennan if he wanted to clear the air and specifically condemn Hamas and its attacks, Zomlot replied: “No, I want to clear the record.”
“First of all, the Palestinian Authority [PA] It does not represent the Palestinian people. It is the PLO, it is the Palestine Liberation Organization,” Zomlot continued. “I represented the PLO in Washington and now I represent the PLO in London. The PA has no external arm. The only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people is the PLO.”
Israel announced last week that it would proceed with transferring tax revenues to the PA in the West Bank, while withholding funding for Gaza, where the PA helps pay for public sector wages and electricity. According to a report from Reuters.
Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States and several other countries.
“Let me make one more thing clear: Once the occupied Palestinian territories are liberated, it is the Palestinian state that will take over and protect its people and the West Bank of Jerusalem and Gaza,” Zomlot said. “Third, it’s an opportunity for the United States to be a peacemaker.”
Then Mr. Brennan interjected and said, “I’m sure you’re worried about tax revenue.”
Mr. Zomlot continued, “Number one, I name you,” but Mr. Brennan interrupted again. “Do you want to clear the air and make accusations?”
Mr. Zomlot appeared to ignore repeated questions and said, “Put the PLO on the U.S. Congress’ terrorist list.”
“The United States should recognize the Palestinian state and allow us to become a full member of the United Nations.” [United Nations]And the United States must immediately cancel the vote – sorry, veto for accountability,” Zomlot continued.
“These are decades’ worth of problems,” Brennan replied. “I’m just asking about this one specific issue and tax revenue on October 7th.”
“No, no, no. It’s not, it’s not… because it’s the result of us not focusing as much on the underlying… causes. It’s time for the United States to do its part…” Zomlot said. answered.
Mr. Brennan interjected again. “I understand that there are deep root causes, but as for the specific accusations, [that] You should be able to answer it right away. ”
Mr. Zomlot then referred to an earlier interview with Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog in which Mr. Brennan spoke of “unintended consequences” in “all wars.”
Israel responded to Hamas’ October 7 attack with airstrikes on Gaza, with hundreds of airstrikes and several bombings killing thousands of civilians, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
Zomlot claimed that Israeli artillery fire reflected long-standing “Israeli military doctrine.”
“We have to stop the conversation there, but it’s clear that it’s the United States that’s actually talking about a peace deal, a two-state solution, and you didn’t explicitly condemn that,” Brennan said. said. “Well, Ambassador, thank you for sharing the Palestinian perspective. We have to leave it there.”
President Biden last week called for a “concentrated effort” on the part of world leaders toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Since taking office, Biden has held off on starting U.S.-mediated negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. But Biden said last week there would be no return to the “status quo” in the wake of the Hamas attack.
Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas, but little is known about who or what actors will lead the Gaza Strip, which is home to an estimated 2.3 million Palestinians.
Hamas ousted the Palestinian Authority in 2007 and took full control of the Palestinian territories.
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