the savannah book festival live starting saturday at 9:00 a.m. eastern. and we will be sure to watch the live coverage with the tucson festival of books. >> the un security council met in new york city to discuss a proposed plan. we will show you a portion of the meeting with the palestinian president in the u.s. ambassadors to the un. in the name of god your excellency foreign minister president of the security council secretary general your

excellency's members of the security council made the peace, mercy and blessings of god be upon you. . i have come to you on behalf of 13 million palestinians to call for justice. i have come to you today ladies and gentlemen to reaffirm the palestinian position that rejects the israeli american proposal. supported by the results of the meeting of the league of arab states and oic and the au. they all concluded that this

plan must be rejected fully. in addition to statements issued by the eu russia, china and japan. and other countries around the world. j the commitment to the resolutions and the rejection of this plan reaffirms what is the result of a unilateral stance in the fact that it violates international legitimacy in the legitimacy arab peace initiative.

it legitimate sizes what is legal the confiscation of land and palestinian land. i would like to reaffirm that this plan or any part in this plan should not be considered as an international reference for negotiations is an israeli preventive plan in order to put an end to the question of

palestine. it was rejected by us because it considers that east jerusalem is no longer under the sovereignty of the state of is no longer under the sovereignty of the state of it leaves a palestine the palestine fragmented without any control on our land, air and sea. it would not put an end to the question of the refugees it will end all bases for a peace plan it means a rejection to all agreements and obligations to establish two states along

the 1,967th line. it will not bring peace or stability to the region and therefore we will not accept this plan. we will confront the application on the ground. >> this is a summary of the project that was presented to us. this is the state that they will give us. it's like a swiss cheese really. who among you will accept a similar state this view ladies and gentlemen includes instructions and an attachment of occupation and annexation by military force and strengthening the upper sides of the regime. we thought we got rid of a

long time ago is coming back to palestine. they are strengthening the upper regime. this plan rewards the occupation instead of holding accountable for all of the crimes that perpetrated against our people and our land. i would like to thank countries regional and international organizations parliament around the world and members of the security council for helping us support international consensus on the basis of international legitimacy rather than un resolutions we also think israelis we think israel the israelis who also rejected this plan in different ways

and those who stood with us from the house and the senate in the united states we also think american organizations and free people who rejected this plan we value their positions to support peace into commit international legitimacy. this document 300 israeli officers reject the said document. 300 israeli officers who fought for their country and now they say we are fighting for what is just. we also welcome israeli

demonstrators took to the streets in tel aviv to reject this plan. this is a letter from the u.s. congress and in this letter 107 members have assigned this letter. there was another document from the u.s. senate 12 members had signed this document. they all reject this plan. and some are even presidential candidates. we salute palestinians and arab people and all of those fighting for peace around the world who took to the street

by thousands and hundreds of thousands in the west bank now. in gaza although it is freezing there. it was cold. but still they take to the streets to say no to this deal.. it's not like they are refusing in rejecting this plan. hundreds of thousands of people are taking to the streets to say no to the steel. tens of thousands around the world are saying no to the steel. and some insist that the steel is just no. it's not just. i have come before you today to say that peace between israelis and palestinians is still possible. it is achievable i have come to you to build an

international partnership to achieve a lasting peace and we are still committed to this piece this deal is not an international partnership this proposal was from one state supported by another state to be imposed on the world on the international legitimacy that represents hundreds of un resolutions and dozens of security council resolutions.on we reject this deal. mister president, ladies and gentlemen i wonder why are they determined to draft this proposal alone at a time when we have entered into a dialogue with the u.s.

administration and we talked about all of the final status issues between me and president trump we've have a long discussion we spoke many times about international legitimacy about the vision of the two state solution. and he said to me yes. now i will declare it. we talked about the free lines. we talked about jerusalem. and other issues. that we have discussed. i was happy to discuss these issues with him at the time. however, i was surprised afterwardscu when that plo office in washington was closed. jerusalem is the capital of israel they transfer the embassy and they called on

other countries around the world to do the same. they stopped sending us aid. $114million 814 million u.s. dollars they stopped sending assistance. i know mister trump is not like that. this is very surprising. i would like to recall that we held the madrid peace conference for the washington negotiation. at a time of peace. they called for negotiations

on all final status issues. including jerusalem. jerusalem is an occupied land it is an occupied land. who has the right to guess this as a gift. to one state or another. we come before you the security council we are committed to all of your resolutions we were committed to implementing all agreements with israel we behaved in a responsible manner. that is why the world respected us. 140 countries recognize a

state of palestine we have become a part of the international community we became and an observer state. we are unable to become a a full member because of the veto. still, we were able to become a reserve or state. we have joint these organizations. the observer state became the chairperson of the group. of 77 in china. that includes 135 countries in addition to china. we do exist. we had continued to build our national institutions based on the rule of law.tu and international parameters

for a modern state that supports transparency accountability and combating corruption. we are among the countries combating corruption. i call on the security council to send ail fact-finding mission to palestine to look at our efforts to combat corruption. and to see that this emerging state under the occupation is fighting corruption and is free from corruption. anyone who claims that our state is corrupt only has to come in visit and see for themselves. we have empowered women and youth we had worked worked in spreading the culture of peace among our people.

we always call for peace. we reject violence and terrorism. we fight violence and terrorism around the world. we had 83 protocols t with 83 countries and one of them with the united states of america. in canada and russia japan and other countries. we are fighting terrorism we are not terrorists. and we will remain committed to combating terrorism. three times we have held elections we believe in

democracy israel rejected that. we can't hold elections in jerusalem. the undivided jerusalem will be the capital of israel. this will not happen. eachje jerusalem is ours. nothing prevents the creation of that between both states and capitals. ladies and gentlemen. they said we had wasted opportunities for peace but that is not true. i then said one day.

that palestinians do not waste one opportunity to waste opportunities. indecently. it was quoted by another senior official. saying that we do not waste any opportunity to waste opportunity. these are silly slogans. we accepted all un resolutions. eighty-seven resolutions and we became an active member of the international community. in 1993. we are committed. in all of their details.

in all of their provisions. we have recognize israel and israel recognized us. i recognize the right of israel to exist i recognize the plo. we had recognized one another. what opportunity did we waste for peace.tu we responded to the efforts of the u.s. administration to international initiatives to all calls for dialogue and

negotiations however, we were never offered the bare minimum of justice according to international legitimacy. the government of the occupation is undermining international efforts we had tried to seize every opportunity in a serious way because peace is in the interest of our people and the people around the world. and this document shows that. more than one country sent us an invitation. the the netherlands. they all sent us an end to -- to hold a dialogue on their territory and every single time we had responded to these

invitations. i went to moscow three times that he did not appear so who is rejecting peace. therefore i wonder what opportunities did we raced. and then it was quoted by the son-in-law. on the other hand. israeli governments and settlers have fought to destroy every opportunity for peace they move forward with their settlement activities everywhere in the west bank. every land that was occupied since 1967 they are building settlements there with impunity.

they have changed the characteristics of the occupied city of jerusalem. and they had continued with their violations against muslim and christian holy sites. they confiscated land. they continued with the war against people in the gaza strip. it was supported by the u.s. administration that issued a number of decisions. the world rejected that number. of the current house in the united states they have rejected it. with a number of jewish organizations they have rejected it. 326. rejecting the policy of

secretary of state pompeo. and the u.s. president on settlement. this is a decision from the congress i would like to reaffirm the fact that they are linking they are linking it to a political solution. we will give you 50 million ivu.s. dollars. see mac. >> what about the political solution. >> first a political solution and then if you wish to help us we welcome that help. we cannot accept a solution first we think every country

that provides us with assistance now without any precondition. mister president, ladies and gentlemen. in this difficult time and before it is too late i would like to say to mister donald trump that the proposed american deal cannot achieve peace and security because it canceled international legitimacy who can cancel international legitimacy. who can a knoll and cancel it. president trump did so.

it cancels all resolutions of legitimacy.es it even decided that the wristlet is no longer part of the sovereignty. this does not meet the aspirations of the two state solution israel and palestine. believe me. if there is peace between us and the israeli people it will be the most beautiful form a piece in of peace in the best relations will be between israelis. give us the opportunity to achieve peace.. i know that the pcl is 180 pages and not everyone is

willing to read all 180 pages therefore, we had decided to summarize these 180 pages with 20 pages. i wish a president donald trump would be just and fair .. ..

piece was reached without the intervention of any party, without the knowledge of any country. and we reached the best agreement and we are willing to commit to that agreement, and we were willing to commit to that agreement until we reach a final solution. however, they killed rabin. why did they assassinate robbing? may his soul rest in peace? i call on the international quartet represented by the united states and russian federation,d the eu and the u., the international quartet. and and i call on the members oe security council to hold an

international conference for peace. we have the quartet so we can hold this international conference to implement resolutionse of international legitimacy. resolution 2334. not only this resolution, all resolutions, all your resolutions, you can pick and choose the resolution that you want and we will implement it on the ground. however, we have chosen to disregard all resolutions, not even one will you take into consideration, if these resolutions adopted by this august counsel, if this counsel's resolution are disregarded, then who will we resort to?

we call for the implementation of all u.n. resolutions, the arab initiative, and we insist on the implementation of the arab peace initiative because it's part of resolution 1550 adopted by the u.n.f security council. by establishing at international mechanism to sponsor negotiations between the two sides. and any other country can join the quartet, so the quartet, in addition to any other country. however, to be honest, the u.s. alone cannot be the sole mediator among the quartet, you are more than welcome. however, as the sole mediator will not accept. we have tried this dell and honestly we cannot accept it

again. on the international community to bring pressure to bear on the government of israel to put an end to the occupational practices and their decision to annex our land. these are our land. these are disputed land. what gives you the right to annex these lands? you will destroy every opportunity for peace in this historic moment, i i would likeo extend my hand for peace again before we waste the final opportunity. and i hope to find a real partner in israel. ray being, may his soul rest in peace. anyone who believes in peace and israel is welcome to join us to create our real peace that will bring fruit to palestinians and israelis alike.

let us coexist in peace. our people, ladies and gentlemen, can no longer tolerate this occupation. this situation can implode at any moment. to avoid this we need renewed hope. do not take hope away from us. hope for our people, for justice, for independence, for peace. hope. please, do not take away this hope from us. i would like to show you this now. 1917, 1937, 1947, and then 2020.

every time i look at this map, i lose hope. is this what we deserve? is this what the palestinian people deserve?? why? we were here, and how did we get tow this point back in the smal islands, inland islands? on this occasion i would like to call on the israeli people to say that the continued occupationed and military contrl of another people, this will not help achieve your security. we only have one choice.

we have to be partners. we have to be neighbors, each in their own country, sovereign country. but as we make committed to this just choice before it's too late. once again, i stress that our struggle is not with the jewish people. we are not against the jewish people. we are muslims. a muslim who says i'm against a jewish person has committed blasphemy. if i say i am against the torah, i'm against jewish people. you're committing blasphemy. we are not against the jewish people. we are against anyone who attacks us, regardless of their religion. our struggle is not with the

jews. our struggle and our fight is against everyone who attacks our land. we call on ending the occupation and on establishing our palestinian state. our people will not surrender, and you have seen before we will not surrender. we will continue to demand our rights. you should give us our rights, then we will stand with you. however, we will never surrender our rights, and we will not surrender to this occupation, regardless of the sacrifices. in conclusion, , i would like to say once again that i am ready to start negotiations as i was ready always if we have a partner in israel ready for peace, ready for negotiations

under the sponsorship of the international quartet and on the basis of internationally parameters. i am serious, i am ready to stay here in the united nations to start these negotiations immediately. and i will say one thing. we will not resort to violence or terrorism, no matter how strong the attack against us is. we believe in peace. we believe in combating violence and, therefore, we will not resort to violence. 83 countries that will soon become when hundred 38 countries. we are willing to cooperate with any country against terrorism and violence. wein are against terrorism,, regardless of its form and manifestation. we will not resort to terrorism. we will fight with peaceful

means. look at what is happening now in the west bank and the gaza strip. 100,000 people took to the streets, although it is freezing cold there, to say no to this. it's not just be rejecting dispute or my delegation. our entire people are saying no, no and no to this deal. and finally i say to the world, be careful not to take away the hope of the palestinian people. i have come here to save this hope. i thank you. >> mr. president, mr. secretary-general, distinguished colleagues.

if president abbas was truly serious about negotiating in good faith, if he was really interested inri peace, he wouldt be here today. he would have taken the advice he received for many of you and for many arab states and use this opportunity to start direct negotiations. if president abbas was serious about negotiating, we wouldn't be here. we would be in jerusalem. in 1977 after the yom kippur war and countless clashes on the border,, president sadat of egyt didn't come to new york to speak at the u.n. he went to jerusalem to speak in the knesset. president sadat knew that to achieve peace, great steps must be taken, that the difficult

history must be put in the past. president sadat came to jerusalem and spoke directly to the israeli people about reaching out the hand for peace. i remember listening to that speech as a child. the fact that the leader of a country that we fought numerous wars against was speaking at the knesset, was incredible. all israel was glued to our screens listening to his voice. not long after the speech, after that showed leadership and willingnessh to negotiate and compromise by minister bacon and president sadat signed that is for peace treaty between israel and egypt. mr. president, the president abbas was serious about negotiating he wouldn't be here in new york. he would be in washington, d.c.

in 1994, his majesty king hussein of jordan didn't go to the u.n. to discuss a dispute with israel. he went to washington. together, with five -- prime minister rabin and president clinton he signed the washington negotiation. back then they agreed on terms for negotiations and only three months later a historic peace treaty was signed between israel and jordan. if president abbas a series about negotiations, he wouldn't be here today. he would be in jerusalem or in washington sitting down with the negotiating. the president abbas is not serious about negotiation or about peace. instead, indeed, he did what he always does. he came to distract from his unwillingness to negotiate, to sit down, to speak. you can ask him when was the

last time he met our prime minister benjamin netanyahu. in the last decade they met only once. how many times did president abbas come here to speak to the security council in the general assembly? why come all the way here? why don't they goo to jerusalem with the prime minister would drive? he's trying to blame the lack of progress towards peace on israel. complaining instead of leading, that is not leadership. that was the way when he took office and that remains his way today in the 16th year of his four year term. president abbas claims he wants sovereignty for the palestinian people, but has done everything to oppose receiving it. these words are nothing but lip service. his call for sovereignty long

ago became a battle cry rather than an actual vote. as as a way to keep the conflict alive. as i mentioned in the last decade, not even one meeting took on the other hand, although when hundred 50 u.n. resolutions concerning the palestinians of past during that time. does that seem like a reasonable balance? if you are sincere aboute this, that our meetings with a negotiating partner in over 150 u.n. resolutions. if he is only reasonable if you have no real intention of negotiating. mr. president, it must be noted that president abbas rejection has been echoed by many international communities, if not with their words, thin by their actions.

voting in favor of one-sided resolution only further encourages his behavior. many of you have fallen into the habit of trying to follow the outcome of negotiation before they even begun. you adopt preconditions that directly contradict previous agreements between the sides. for example, israel and the p.a. previously agreed internationally endorsed agreements that a border will only be determined through direct and bilateral negotiation. yet still some of you against this explicit agreement try to either precondition the future borders must be negotiated based on this so-called 1967 line. let us negotiate. when you tell them that will be the outcome, he will not enter the room. that's what we are doing here.

why should we negotiate within when you are negotiating for him? negotiations when you're into the real and you come with your demands and you negotiate. that's what we did with president sadat. that's what we did with king hussein, and then charlotte, god will, that we will do with the palestinians one day but that means real negotiations. when president abbas sees that battles are being fought for him and there's no need for him to negotiate or agree to mutual compromises, it makes peace and ever more remote possibility. meeting here once again to criticize israel and the u.s. for the efforts to promote peace does not increase the likelihood of president abbas agreeing to negotiate either. it will be best if international community focus its efforts on bringing both sides to the

negotiating table. mr.n president, it is also time for the international community to help with this conflict or it is clear something in the current approach is networking. president abbas spreads lies in order to mislead the international community into believing that his desired solution to the conflict is the only solution. in fact, he just did so today. however, all previous attempts have been based on the same principle and dogma. all of these attempts have failed. albert einstein once said, to define insanity as doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results. president trump's plan takes the same approach to solving this conflict. i understand where to try something different.

maybe it will work this time. as the basis of the plan is an idea of achieving just and lasting peace between the palestinians. however, this plan refuses to accept the same out of date concept of previous lease plans. this plan refuses to accept that the only way to solve the conflict is a formula that has failed for over 70 years. that plan represents the private where we are lifting a boat but is not afraid to incorporate innovative ideas to address the concerns of both parties. represents the necessity, an solve a complex problem. even if one company know many of you, even if one has criticism of the specifics of the plan, you should still embrace its spirit. a spirit that says it is time to look for a new and pragmatic

approach to solving this conflict. the plan drafters have set themselves that the plan is only a suggestion, a tool for the side to use in their negotiation. it is clear that some of you are beginning to embrace the spirit of the plan. that is why your views the opportunity presented to call on president abbas to negotiate, and we thank you for that. but president abbas refuses to be pragmatic. he refuses to negotiate. he is not interested in fighting a valid solution to the conflict. mr. president, let's not beat around the bush. progress towards peace will not be made as long as president abbas remains in his position. this is the reality. only when he steps down can israel and the palestinians move forward. a leader who chooses

rejectionism, incitement, and glorification of terror can never be a real partner for real peace. mr. president, israel has embraced the new innovative spirit of president trump's plan and is agreed to use it as a starting point for negotiation. we thank president trump and his team for their dedication to the cause of peace. israel is criticize in this room on a regular basis, but despite the lies and hypocrisy, we're determined to fight for peace. we have always been willing to negotiate. we have offered resid abbas opportunities to begin negotiationti many times, but hs response remains the same. you can ask him when you reach them later today, why is he not willing to meet with us?

is response is always know. he said it only the other week, 1000 times no. peace is a call aspect of our belief, of the jewish way of life. i urge you, take this opportunity to tell president abbas that speech is here at the u.n. cannot be -- cannot replace direct negotiations. tell president abbas that unlike him, you choose peace. thank you very much, mr. president. >> thank you, minister. i want to begin a welcoming president abbas today to this counsel, and also to thank secretary-general, and my colleagues for the comments. how this counsel allocates the

fines who we are and what we believe is important. this is especially true of today's meeting because findings a solution to the conflict between israelis and palestinians is important. it is important to president trump. it is important to me personally. based on our recent conversations, i know it is very important to each member of thio counsel. and it is vitally important to both israel and to the palestinian people. since the formation of united nations this counsel and the general assembly have demonstrated their belief in the importance of a middle east peace whose countless hours of debate and bypassing more than 800 resolution addressing this issue. but neitherut these debates nor these resolutions have resulted in the true and lasting peace. so with this record of failure, thisai spectacular, it would be folly to suggest that this time

was well spent and that what is needed now is more of the same. that is why president trump has proposed a new vision for peace, which poses a tangible challenge to the status quo. given that challenge it is understandable that emotions are running high today, and the strongly worded statements are being made. president abbas, i heard you. i heard you speak of hope. i heard your words about the importance of hope, to keep hope alive the messy willingness to compromise, to engage in good faith but we are not here to merely promise hope. anyone can promise hope. we argued to deliver on help because that is what leaders do. it is what we are called to do today. but once we have set our piece today, i want us to begin thinking about what's going to happen tomorrow. rather than respond directly to today's writer, now is the time

to set the table for a new conversation, a conversation in whichno we do not talk at each other but with each other. i conversation that is the starting point, not a finishing line. and when i speak of the conversation i want to be clear, as the president stated we are not here to lecture. we are not here to tell other people now to live, who to be or how to worship. instead, we arere here to offer partnership based on shared interests and values. this partnership must begin with an understanding that real peace is never something theoretical. it is not something to be found on a piece of paper in concrete experiences of security, economic opportunity, and freedom. for too long we've made the mistake of assuming the documents filled with high-level principles or theoretical concepts alone will lead to the kind of peace that provides for the dignity of all people.

but i'm hereit to tell you today that this kind of peace, concrete, lasting, dignity honoring peace, that is intrinsic to the plan proposed by president trump on january 28. the vision for peace is different in of its predecessors because it is specific and realistic. israel's acceptance of the plant and its conceptual map represents a a stork step towards the establishment of a a palestinian state with a capital in east jerusalem. this vision shows respect for the hashemite kingdom of jordan is special role and muslims holy shrines in drizzle and ensures the ability of muslim from around the world to worship at the mosque. and i would emphasize especially to those who expressed concerns that the plant offer something deeply meaningful to the palestinian people. i realistic prospect for seeing and a lifetime a self-governing

and fully recognized palestinian state. the plan also recognizes that a political resolution to this conflict is not enoughh to ensue the palestinian people have the opportunities to thrive. opportunities they need to comee opportunities they deserve. the plan proposes a stork levels of economic investment in the future state of palestine, more than $50 billion in total. this investment would reverse the brutal cycle of poverty that has trapped thousands of palestinian men, women, and children for decades. as president trump said two weeks ago he wants his plan and i quote, to be a great deal for the palestinians. it has to be, end quote. and it is. in laying the foundation for widespread economic opportunity, the united states plan is more than a path to palestinian independence. it is a blueprint for the construction of a forging

palestinian state. this is not a proposal of peace in theory but of dignity and practice. the united states believes this plan is realistic and implementable, and i willli rept here what senior advisor jared kushner has asserted on multiple occasions. this plan is not a ticket or leave it. it is not my way or the highway. it is not set in stone. rather, it is an opening offer. it is the beginning of the conversation, not the end of one. the united states stands willing to support all efforts to begin this conversation and moving forward we hope all parties to keep an open mind, listen and engage. i'm m optimistic all council members will give this approach a fair hearing rather than revert to old habits that have not produced and cannot produce peace that we all seek. and above all, we hope the

israelis and palestinians will have the courage to sit down together to talk to one another. you have heard me say repeatedly that the united states always stand by israel, ensuring that its security is never threatened and that its prosperity is protected. that has not changed and it neverd will. the people of israel have no better friend than the united states, and i want them to know as they force a new path to peace we will be with them every step of the way. but i want to make clear that the united states also stands by the palestinian people and supports their will for a better future for themselves and for their children. my fervent hope is that after two days rhetoric clears, palestinian leaders will see this plan for the opportunity it is, roll up their sleeves and sees his chance to sit down with the leader of visual to begin a new conversation. continuing to lead this conflict unresolved only benefits the extremists who seek to radicalize younger generations

and perpetuate the cycle of terrorism. but peaceful coexistence is not out of reach. i committing to extend freedom, dignity and opportunity to all palestinians and israelis, we can build the future we have all sought for so long. only this way can the weapons of war at last be beaten into ploughshares and peace. true lasting peace the sand on this land that is holy to so many. president abbas, president trump has stated, i want you to know that if you choose the path to peace, america and many other countries will -- we will be there. thank you. >> students from across the country told us the most important issue for the presidential candidate to address our climate change, gun violence, keen vaping, college

affordability, mental health and immigration. we are awarding $100,000 in total cash prizes. the winners for this year's studentcam competition will be announced march 11. >> "politico" recently hosted its annual state solutions conference in washington, d.c. with governors from around the country. speakers included governor pritzker of illinois. [applause] >> thank you. thank you, terry. good morning, everybody. my name is darius dixon, associate editor for political states and also the editor for element playbook, a daily newsletter with covering all things politics in the a great state of illinois. thank you. welcome to the state solutions.

so we have a