RAMALLAH, May 19, 2011 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas called Thursday for an emergency meeting for the Palestinian leadership to discuss what came in the speech by US President Barack Obama, according to PLO member Saeb Erekat.

He said that “President Abbas decided to convene an emergency session for the Palestinian leadership as soon as possible and he will consult with our Arab brothers at the same time.”

Erekat told reporters at the Muqata following Obama’s speech that “President Abbas listened carefully to the speech.” He said that “Abbas stresses his appreciation to the continuing efforts being exerted by President Obama with the objective of resuming the permanent status talks in the hope of reaching a final status agreement on all core issues, including Jerusalem and refugees and within a specified time frame.”

He said, “President Abbas and in his determination to give President Obama’s efforts and that of the international community the chance they deserve, reiterates our commitment to all obligations in the signed agreements and other international obligations, including those specified in the road map and the Arab peace initiative. We hope the Israeli government will reciprocate in order to give peace a chance.”

Abu Rudeineh strongly criticized Israel’s decision to build 1500 new housing units in the settlements describing it as “Israel’s immediate response to Obama’s speech.”

He said, “We condemn this act and the Obama administration should hold Israel responsible for the deterioration in the peace process.”

Palestinian officials criticized Obama’s speech as bias toward Israel.

Wasel Abu Yousef, head of the Palestinian Liberation Front and member of the PLO executive committee, describe the speech as “disappointing.” He accused Obama of taking Israel’s side in his speech, saying that Obama’s position from the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has actually deteriorated.

He said the emergency meeting will most likely evaluate the speech and consider the next step.

Bassam Salhi, head of the Palestinian Peoples Party, said that Obama showed total bias toward Israel. He said, “Obama aimed in his speech to prevent the Palestinians from going to the United Nations in September and to put obstacles in the way of reconciliation.”

M.A.