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Abbas Calls U.S. Ambassador to Israel a 'Settler, Son of a Dog'

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas / Getty Images
March 20, 2018

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday attacked U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman as a "son of a dog" and a "settler."

Abbas' attack on Friedman came during a Palestinian leadership meeting where Abbas once again criticized President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Times of Israel reports.

Abbas added that Trump "views the settlements as legitimate," a reference to Israeli settlements on areas of land considered by Palestinians to be their own. Abbas used the point on settlements, which the PA views as illegal, as a segway to attack Friedman.

"More than one official has said that. The ambassador, David Friedman, said [the Israelis are] building on their own land. You son of a dog, building on their own land?! You are a settler and your family are settlers!" Abbas said.

The Times describes "son of a dog" as a mild pejorative in Arabic, somewhat analogous to "jerk."

The attack came hours after Friedman criticized the PA for failing to condemn terror attacks over the weekend.

"Such brutality and no condemnation from the PA! I pray for the families and the wounded – so much sadness," Friedman tweeted.

 

Friedman is known for supporting projects in settlements, the Times notes.