RAMALLAH, Tuesday, April 09, 2019 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas said today that he is following everything going on in the world, and particularly what is happening at our neighbors in reference to the Israeli elections taking place today.

"We are following everything happening in the world and specifically at our neighbors. All we hope for is that they follow the right path to reach peace," he said in reaction to the Israeli national elections.

"They (Israel) should understand that peace is in our interest as well for theirs and whole world. For this reason they need to come to the negotiating table. Our hand is always extended for negotiations, but we are not going to abandon our rights," he said at the opening of a new oncology department at the Istishari Hospital near Ramallah.

President Abbas also stressed that he will not accept the American deal of the century, "whatever it was. We rejected it because it bypasses our rights legitimized by the international legitimacy."

He said that "if they agree to go with the international legitimacy, then our hands will be extended to reach peace. If they don‘t, then we will remain steadfast here."

The President said in reference to the opening of the new hospital ward that "what we saw here today at this great hospital makes us all very proud and promises a better future."

He added: "If we have the opportunity, we will be like the rest of the people in this world, if not better, because we have the potential and capabilities that we offer to our great people."

M.K.