ADDIS ABABA, January 30, 2017 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas warned on Monday that achieving a lasting and just peace based on a two-state solution was at risk.
Addressing the 28th summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Abbas said Israel does whatever possible to obstruct the creation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital through its occupation and settlement construction, which is leading to the one-state situation with an apartheid system imposed on the Palestinian people.
Abbas said that any change in the status quo in Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967 may undermine chances of peace and stability in the region.
The president called upon the international community to act to enforce Security Council resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlements and described them as destructive to the two-state solution.
He urged the African leaders not to base their ties with Israel at the expanse of the Palestinian cause.
“We know that you have interests and that Israel is seeking to make relations with the states of your continent,” Abbas told the African leaders. “But we urge you that this should not be done at the expense of the just cause of our Palestinian people, which still needs your help to get rid of the abhorrent Israeli occupation.”
Abbas thanked African support of the State of Palestine at the international forums, expressing hope that Africa would continue to support the people of Palestine towards freedom, sovereignty and independence.
He said Palestine is ready to cooperate with the African Union and the member countries towards combating terrorism.
M.N./M.K
