MADRID, November 20, 2017 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas urged Spain on Monday to recognize Palestine saying such a move would enhance peace efforts with Israel.

Speaking at a dinner party with his host, the King of Spain, Abbas thanked the Spanish parliament for recommending to its government to recognize Palestine and urged the Spanish government to follow suit.

“We are proud of the position of the Spanish parliament which recommended to its government to recognize the state of Palestine, which is something we hope will happen soon because of its importance to peace efforts in our region and so that Palestine and Israel can live side-by-side in security, stability and good neighborly relations, which will bring hope in a better future for Palestine and its people who have suffered from historical injustice when they were uprooted from their homeland in the 1948 nakba.. and the occupation of the rest of our land in 1967,” he said.

He said Israel has been working on changing the character of Jerusalem and its identity since its occupation with total disregard to its Christian and Muslim holy places.

Abbas said that in spite of this, “We are still committed to peace based on international decisions, the Madrid peace conference and the Arab peace initiative. We also support efforts by (US) President (Donald) Trump’s administration to achieve a historic peace deal. We also stress the important role of the European Union and its positions that are committed to international law, which we are definite it will continue.”

The president thanked Spain for its support of the Palestinian people expressing hope for growth in  Palestinian-Spanish relations in economy, politics, culture and tourism.

Abbas earlier met with the Spanish king and his prime minister. He arrived in Spain on Sunday on an official visit.

M.K.