BETHLEHEM, Friday, July 15, 2022 – President Mahmoud Abbas stressed today that the recognition of the State of Palestine is the cornerstone of peace and security in the region.

Speaking at a joint press conference with U.S. President Joe Biden at the presidential headquarters in Bethlehem, President Abbas said: “After 74 years of Nakba, displacement, and occupation, is it not time for this occupation to end? Is it not time for our steadfast people to gain their freedom and independence, and for the hopes of our young men and women—whom we value, trust, and believe in—to be realized in a future free from occupation?”

He added that the path to peace and stability in the region begins with recognizing the State of Palestine, enabling the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights in accordance with international resolutions, and resolving all final status issues, including the Palestinian refugee question.

President Abbas emphasized the importance of ending the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders.

He called on President Biden to restore the foundations of the peace process based on international legitimacy and the two-state solution, and urged him to fulfill U.S. commitments, including reopening the U.S. consulate in East Jerusalem, removing the PLO from the U.S. terrorist list, and reopening the PLO office in Washington.

“We are ready to work in partnership to remove any obstacles to achieving this,” Abbas said, stressing the need for the U.S. to help end Israeli occupation policies, apartheid practices, and unilateral actions that undermine the two-state solution.

He also referred to the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, demanding accountability for her death.

President Abbas affirmed that only when Israel ends its occupation, including in East Jerusalem, “will it be accepted to live in peace, security, and good neighborliness with the countries and peoples of the region.” He warned that the opportunity for a two-state solution “may not remain for a long time,” reiterating his commitment to peace based on UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

For his part, U.S. President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to the two-state solution, saying: “Two states along the 1967 lines, with mutually agreed land swaps, remain the best way to achieve equal measures of security, prosperity, freedom, and democracy for Palestinians and Israelis alike.”

He said the Palestinian people deserve an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous state.

President Biden acknowledged the frustration among Palestinians and said, “There must be a political horizon the Palestinian people can see or at least feel.”

He condemned violence and referred to the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh as “an enormous loss,” stressing the need for a full and transparent investigation.

Biden reaffirmed support for preserving the historical status quo in Jerusalem’s holy sites under Jordanian custodianship, and ensuring freedom of worship.

Highlighting U.S. efforts to improve daily life for Palestinians, he noted that his administration had restored more than $500 million in aid since 2021 and announced an additional $200 million for UNRWA.

He also revealed plans to extend 4G internet services to the West Bank and Gaza by the end of next year, boost renewable energy supplies, and improve movement and trade.

President Biden expressed hope that his visit would mark the beginning of a renewed dialogue between the Palestinian Authority and the United States, and between Palestinians and countries across the region.