RAMALLAH, Monday, January 31, 2022 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today talked on the phone and discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian territories and bilateral relations between the Palestinian and US sides.

President Abbas reiterated to the US Secretary of State that the current situation is not sustainable and the need to end the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine, stop settlement activities, stop the attacks and terror of settlers, and the importance of respecting the historical status in Al-Haram Al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary that includes Al-Aqsa Mosque), stopping the expulsion of Palestinians from the Jerusalem neighborhoods, and stopping the abuse of the prisoners, withholding corpses, stopping deduction from the tax funds, and stifling the Palestinian economy.

The President stressed the need to stop the unilateral Israeli practices that undermine the two-state solution, to implement the agreements signed between the two sides, and to hold the meetings of the International Quartet at the ministerial level in order to start a real political process in accordance with the resolutions of the international legitimacy, and that the next Central Council meeting will evaluate the situation and take the necessary decisions to protect the rights and interests of the Palestinian people.

He pointed out the importance of continuing to work to strengthen bilateral relations with the United States and to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of these relations.

For his part, Secretary Blinken conveyed President Biden's greetings to President Abbas and his affirmation of the US commitment to the two-state solution and the importance of creating a political horizon.

Blinken noted that the Biden administration is aware of the political and economic difficulties that the Palestinian Authority is going through, stressing its rejection of settlement and settler attacks, and incursions in the Palestinian Authority areas, and its rejection of expelling residents and demolishing homes, stressing the US administration’s commitment to reopening the US Consulate in East Jerusalem.

He made it clear that he will talk to President Biden and officials in his administration about the challenges and difficulties facing the Palestinians, and that he will contact all concerned parties, and work jointly with everyone to move forward to achieve peace and stability in the region.

M.K.