ROME, December 13, 2024 –President Mahmoud Abbas Friday met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, where they discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian cause amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the occupation's ongoing brutal war against the Gaza Strip.
During the meeting, President Abbas highlighted the devastating toll of the Israeli aggression on Palestinian civilians, with tens of thousands of casualties, missing people and unprecedented massive destruction to homes, infrastructure and properties.
The President also addressed the worsening situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, pointing to the continuing crimes of Israeli colonists against the defenseless Palestinian people, the killings, the frequent army incursions into Palestinian cities, towns and refugee camps, colonial expansion and the desecration of holy sites, particularly in the occupied capital, Jerusalem.
President Abbas reiterated the necessity of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2735, which calls for a ceasefire, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the facilitation of humanitarian aid to avoid the risks of a major humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.
The President also stressed the importance of allowing the Palestinian Authority to resume its full responsibilities in Gaza.
The President briefed Prime Minister Meloni on Palestine’s political, diplomatic and legal initiatives at international forums aimed at ending the Israeli occupation and ensuring the implementation of the UN General Assembly's resolution on the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion regarding ending the occupation and colonial expansion.
The President stressed the need to mobilize efforts in support of Palestine's bid for full UN membership and to secure additional international recognition for the State of Palestine. He also urged Italy to officially recognize Palestine as a state.
Additionally, President Abbas and Prime Minister Meloni discussed the strong bilateral ties between Italy and Palestine.
President Abbas thanked Italy for its ongoing humanitarian support to the Palestinian people, including its assistance to UNRWA, as well as for providing police training and accepting injured children evacuated from Gaza.
The President also praised Italy's support for Palestinian rights in international forums, including the recent positive vote on resolutions related to the ceasefire and in support of UNRWA.
The meeting was attended by several senior Palestinian officials.
T.R.
