MANAMA, Thursday, May 16, 2024 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas today reiterated that the only solution to de-escalate the situation is to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
Speaking during a meeting with Egypt’s President Abd el-Fattah el-Sisi at the 33rd Arab League summit, that kicked off in the Bahraini capital, Manama, President Abbas stressed that the only solution to the escalation in the region lies in the political solution by ending the Israeli occupation of the territories of the State of Palestine, including East Jerusalem.
He expressed his appreciation to Egypt for its unwavering positions and support to the Palestinian people’s rights, most notably their right to establish their state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and for its efforts to sponsor the reconciliation and pivotal role in providing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
He briefed his Egyptian counterpart 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.
He renewed 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 sounded the alarm on the danger of the Israeli invasion of the southern Strip city of Rafah, 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.
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 affirmed that the State of Palestine would continue its endeavor to obtain full membership in the United Nations, while considering it important that the countries that have not recognized the State of Palestine yet do so.
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, Egypt’s President el-Sisi reviewed the intensified efforts and ongoing contacts aimed at reach an immediate ceasefire, ensuring the entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip and preventing the displacement of Palestinians.
He renewed his country’s position in support of the Palestinian people, their just cause and their right to freedom and establish their independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Both leaders discussed to further strengthen bilateral relations in all fields and agreed to continue consultations on issues of common interest.
K.F.
