RAMALLAH, September 26, 2026 (WAFA) — President Mahmoud Abbas affirmed today that occupied East Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the State of Palestine, stressing that supporting the steadfastness of Palestinians in the city and preserving its national and religious identity and institutions remains a constant priority for the Palestinian leadership.
He made the remarks during a meeting at the Presidential Headquarters in Ramallah with heads of municipalities and local councils in the Jerusalem Governorate, during which he was briefed on the conditions of Palestinians in Jerusalem and the challenges facing local authorities in carrying out their responsibilities amid ongoing Israeli measures targeting the city, its holy sites, national institutions and surrounding areas.
The meeting was attended by PLO Executive Committee member Ahmad Majdalani, Fatah Central Committee member and Jerusalem Governor Adnan Ghaith, and Minister of Local Government Sami Hijjawi.
President Abbas stressed the importance of strengthening the steadfastness of Palestinians in Jerusalem and empowering municipalities and local councils to perform their role in serving residents and providing them with the conditions for a dignified life.
He said this was particularly important in the face of Israeli measures aimed at changing the character and identity of Jerusalem and the towns and communities of the governorate and imposing a new reality on the ground.
The President reiterated that all Israeli measures in occupied East Jerusalem, including settlement expansion, land seizure, the forced displacement of Palestinians and home demolitions, violate international law and relevant international resolutions and cannot alter the city's legal status or diminish the rights of the Palestinian people there.
He affirmed that the Palestinian leadership would continue to work at all levels to protect Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites and mobilize international support to preserve the city's historic and legal status.
President Abbas said these efforts would continue toward realizing an independent and sovereign State of Palestine on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
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