RAMALLAH, September 5, 2011 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday that “the Palestinians do not want to delegitimize anyone, but we want to legitimize the Palestinian existence by obtaining independence and having a country like the rest of the world.”

Abbas’ statements came in a meeting at his presidential headquarter with Israeli writers, researchers and academics.

“We will go to the United Nations because we want to express our people’s right to self determination like people everywhere who enjoy their freedom and independence. No other people are under occupation,” he said.

Abbas said that the negotiations reached a dead end due to Israeli government’s refusal to stop settlement activities and to commit to a clear and specific reference for the peace process based on international resolutions. Beside, Israel did not offer anything during the negotiations, he said.

He stressed that the Palestinian leadership is willing to go back to negotiations if they are based on the 1967 borders and if Israel stops all settlement activates regardless of the outcome of going to the UN.

He briefed the Israeli delegation on the peace process developments and the reasons behind the Palestinian quest to the UN to seek full membership and recognition of a Palestinian state.

The Israeli delegation expressed their support of the Palestinian bid at the UN.

Israeli writer Seifi Rakhelsky said, “The Palestinian independence is the dream of every free person and everyone searching for justice in the world, so we urge you to continue your demand for justice at the UN.”

Israeli former deputy foreign minister, Aaron Le’elle said “Europe and the US, especially president Barak Obama, must feel shame if they vote against the Palestinian quest because the Palestinian people deserve a country like the rest of the people in the world.”

Former lawmaker, Yael Dayan, said, “The occupation must end and the Palestinian people must get their independence, a right, guaranteed by all international charters.”

Israeli historian, Yehuda Bauer, said that “no one has the right to deny the Palestinian people the right to obtain an independent state or to define your country as you wish since it’s a right for all people, and it’s a right for you as the Palestinian people.”

M.G. /M.A