MANAMA, Thursday, May 16, 2024 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas today renewed his rejection of the displacement of any Palestinian at the hands of the Israeli occupation.

Speaking during a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the 33rd Arab League summit, that kicked off in the Bahraini capital, Manama, President Abbas stressed the State of Palestine’s categorical rejection of the displacement of any Palestinian at the hands of Israel from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

He warned of the danger of the Israeli invasion of the southern Strip city of Rafah as well as the ongoing closure of crossings and blocking the entry of aid into the Strip; which poses the serious risk of deterioration of the humanitarian situation, while stressing the need to allow the displaced persons to return to their homes.

He appreciated Jordan’s efforts to send humanitarian aid to the Strip, including aid airdrop into Gaza and commended King Abdullah II for his important role in support of the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people, most notably their right to establish their state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, while voiced his appreciation of Jordan’s custodianship over the holy sites in Jerusalem.

He briefed the Jordanian monarch on the latest developments on the Palestinian arena, with particular focus on the ongoing Israeli genocidal aggression on the Gaza Strip and the efforts aimed at ending the aggression, halting the invasion of Rafah and ensuring the entry of humanitarian and medical aid to the war-torn Strip.

The President commented on the grave Israeli escalation in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and Israeli colonists’ terrorist attacks against humanitarian aid convoys passing through the occupied West Bank to the war-ravaged and besieged Gaza Strip as well as their encroachments upon the holy sites, particularly in Jerusalem.

He reiterated that the only solution for de-escalation in the Middle East lies in the political solution by ending the Israeli occupation of the territories of the State of Palestine, including East Jerusalem.

He affirmed that the State of Palestine would continue its endeavor to obtain full membership in the United Nations, while considering it important that more and more countries recognize the State of Palestine.

Commenting on the economic crisis gripping the State of Palestine, he said that the Israel government’s practice of withholding the Palestinian tax revenues was aggravating the crisis and must be reversed immediately.

On his turn, Jordan’s King Abdullah II affirmed his country’s position in support of the Palestinian people, their just cause and right to establish their independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He also affirmed that Jordan would proceed with its efforts with regional and international parties aimed at halting the Israeli aggression, reaching a ceasefire and ensuring the entry of aid into the Strip.

Both leaders discussed to further strengthen bilateral relations in all fields and agreed to continue consultations on issues of common interest.

K.F.