Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a scathing rebuke of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday, hours after the latter delivered a venomous anti-Israel address at the European Parliament in Brussels.

Abbas’ speech came on the heels of his refusal to meet with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, who was also in Brussels this week.

Abbas “showed his true face in Brussels,” a Netanyahu spokesman told The Algemeiner.  “He, who refuses to meet President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Netanyahu for direct negotiations and spreads a blood libel at the European Parliament, falsely claims his hand is extended for peace.”

“Israel is waiting for the day Abbas will stop spreading lies and engaging in incitement. Until then, Israel will continue to defend itself against Palestinian incitement, which fuels terrorism.”

In his speech, Abbas accused Israeli rabbis of calling for the poisoning of Palestinian drinking water — an apparent reference to a media report that has been debunked.

“Isn’t that clear incitement to commit mass killings against the Palestinian people?” Abbas asked.

Abbas also claimed terrorism around the world would halt if Israel withdrew from Judea and Samaria and east Jerusalem.

“Once the occupation ends, terrorism will disappear, there will be no more terrorism in the Middle East, or anywhere else in the world,” Abbas said.

Others who responded to Abbas’ comments included Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon, who said, “Mahmoud Abbas has revealed his true colors to the international community as the one who is constantly rejecting peace. Instead of agreeing to meet President Rivlin, or accepting Prime Minister Netanyahu’s repeated offers to begin direct negotiations, Abbas continues to incite against Israel. His lies that Israel is committing ‘mass murder’ of Palestinians, and his representative’s comparison between the Jewish state and the Nazi regime are examples of the incitement spread by the Palestinian Authority.”

Abbas’ speech also drew harsh criticism from American Jewish leaders.

Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted, “The level of Abbas’ derangement borders on satire. Blaming Israel for all terror worldwide is laughable and despicable.”

In a statement, American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris said, “Once again, President Abbas is the great disappointer. Instead of returning to direct peace talks with Israel, Abbas abused an international platform to deliver yet another tirade full of invectives and falsehoods against Israel.

“Abbas’ malicious attack contradicts any attempt he made to verbally offer a hand for peace. Indeed, Abbas demonstrably held back his hand both by his remarks, and by rejecting an EU request that he meet with President Rivlin.

“In sum, Israelis and Palestinians who truly seek a negotiated comprehensive peace accord based on a two-state agreement, continue to await the day when Abbas becomes a leader committed to advancing the peace process, and not continually undermining it, or else gives way to other Palestinians ready for an enduring agreement with Israel.”