From the European Union External Action:
The speech Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivered on 30 April contained unacceptable remarks concerning the origins of the Holocaust and Israel’s legitimacy. Such rhetoric will only play into the hands of those who do not want a two-state solution, which President Abbas has repeatedly advocated.
This is not a condemnation. This is merely saying that Abbas’ statements are “unacceptable.” And why are they unacceptable?
Not because they are antisemitic. Not because they deny history. Not because they blame Jews for causing the Holocaust.
No, the main problem with Abbas’ speech is that it allows the Israeli right to point out that Abbas is an antisemite who does not deserve to be rewarded with a state!
The only direct characterization of Abbas’ character in this statement is that he has “repeatedly advocated” a two state solution, meaning that a man who spouts Jew-hating conspiracy theories is better than the evil people who point out his antisemitism.
The EU then tries to obfuscate the issue by saying antisemitism is bad.
The Holocaust and World War Two have defined Europe’s modern history like no other event. Holocaust education remains central to building up resilience against all forms of hatred in our societies. Antisemitism is not only a threat for Jews but a fundamental menace to our open and liberal societies. The European Union remains committed to combat any form of anti-Semitism and any attempt to condone, justify or grossly trivialise the Holocaust.
There is no wording that ties the second paragraph to what Abbas said. It sort of implies that Abbas might have trivialized or condoned the Holocaust, but the statement it so general that is could refer to anyone, anytime.
This EU statement does not say a single negative thing about Abbas, and it says one “positive” thing about him – that he supports a two state solution (on the way to destroying the Jewish state via “return.”)
The statement also does not call on Abbas to walk back his statements or to apologize. He did something that is vaguely unfortunate and it must be forgotten as quickly as possible before those right wing Jews make a big deal over it.
Despite how central the EU claims Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism are, this statement proves that it has learned little from the Holocaust – that hate must be loudly and specifically condemned and the people who espouse such hate must be held to account.
(h/t Irene)
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