RAMALLAH, January 13, 2025 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine met today with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah.
At the start of the meeting, President Abbas emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Palestine and the United Kingdom.
He called for a greater British role in advancing peace efforts and achieving security and stability based on international legitimacy resolutions.
The President briefed the British Foreign Secretary on the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, stressing the need to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2735. The resolution calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region, a full Israeli withdrawal, and the assumption by the State of Palestine of full responsibilities in the Gaza Strip.
President Abbas warned of the dangers posed by ongoing Israeli aggression in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, citing settlement expansion, land appropriation, annexation, settler violence under military protection, and violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The President highlighted the critical role Britain could play in garnering international support for recognizing Palestine as a state, securing full UN membership, and advancing efforts for an international peace conference to implement the two-state solution. Such actions, he noted, would contribute to stability and security for the region and the world.
President Abbas also raised concerns about the potential suspension of UNRWA's operations in Palestine, stressing the importance of supporting the agency to ensure its continued services to Palestinian refugees. He condemned the Israeli decision to block UNRWA’s work, calling it a violation of international law.
Additionally, the President reiterated the Palestinian government’s commitment to advancing reform programs. He underscored the urgency of recovering withheld Palestinian funds from Israeli authorities, which he said hampers the government’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities.
He also called for increased international support to ensure the successful implementation of the government’s programs.
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