RAMALLAH, August 11, 2025 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas received on Monday evening a phone call from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
President Abbas commended Italy for its positions in support of ending Israel’s genocidal war in the Gaza Strip, rejecting the full re-occupation of the Strip, preventing the forced displacement of Gaza population, committing to the two-state solution, and opposing Israeli settler-colonialism activity and colonist violence.
He praised Italian Prime Minister Meloni for her efforts, particularly for strengthening bilateral relations, affirming the historic and renewed ties linking the two countries and their friendly peoples. He expressed gratitude to Italy for providing economic and humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, for treating wounded children in Italian hospitals, for training the Palestinian police, and for bilateral cooperation in all fields, including the security sector.
President Abbas also touched upon the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, and stressed the priority of achieving an immediate and permanent ceasefire, expediting the entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip, securing the release of hostages and prisoners, enabling the State of Palestine to fully assume its civil and security responsibilities in Gaza, and for all Palestinian factions to hand over their weapons to the Palestinian Authority under the principle of one system, one law, and one legitimate weapon.
He reiterated that the Palestinian people does not want an armed state, emphasizing the necessity of Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Strip, launching reconstruction, and holding general elections within one year. He also called for comprehensive calm in the West Bank to stop Israeli settler-colonial activity and annexation attempts, end colonist terrorism, release withheld Palestinian tax revenues, and halt attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites.
He commended Italy’s active participation and the outcomes achieved at the International Peace Conference in New York, stressing the importance of building on these results during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September. He expressed deep appreciation for the recognition of the State of Palestine by several countries and called on those that have not yet recognized it to do so.
He affirmed the important role Italy can play in implementing the two-state solution, building Palestinian state institutions, supporting reform and development programs, and advancing reconstruction so that the State of Palestine and the State of Israel can live side by side in security, peace, and good neighborliness.
President Abbas and Italian Premier Meloni agreed to continue coordination and joint work for peace and to strengthen bilateral relations between the State of Palestine and Italy at all levels.
K.F.
