RAMALLAH, August 26, 2025 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine received on Tuesday US Democratic Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah. The meeting was attended by Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh.

The meeting focused on the latest developments and efforts to achieve a ceasefire and comprehensive calm in the occupied Palestinian territory.

President Abbas stressed the priority of an immediate ceasefire, the urgent entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza to end the starvation campaign, the release of hostages and prisoners, and the full assumption of civil and security responsibilities in Gaza by the State of Palestine. 

He reiterated that all Palestinian factions must hand over their weapons to the Palestinian Authority under the principle of one system, one law, and one legitimate weapon, reaffirming: “We do not want an armed state.”

The President underscored the need for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the start of reconstruction, and parliamentary and presidential elections within one year after the war. He also emphasized the need to achieve comprehensive calm in the West Bank by halting settlement activity and annexation attempts, ending settler terrorism, releasing withheld Palestinian funds, and stopping assaults on Islamic and Christian holy sites.

Senators Van Hollen and Merkley expressed their interest in hearing the Palestinian perspective directly from President Abbas and their commitment to supporting efforts aimed at achieving security, stability, and peace in the region.

Both senators are known for supporting the two-state solution and the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.

M.N