RAMALLAH, Thursday, June 30, 2022 – President Mahmoud Abbas received a phone call today from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during which they discussed the latest developments and the need to create a political horizon ahead of President Joe Biden’s visit to the region.

President Abbas welcomed President Biden’s upcoming visit to Palestine and expressed hope that it would help create the political pathway needed to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on international legitimacy, the two-state solution, and the 1967 borders. He emphasized that ending the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is essential for achieving peace.

The President expressed his hope that Biden’s visit would translate into concrete action reflecting his commitment to the two-state solution. He highlighted the importance of halting settlement expansion, preventing the expulsion of Palestinians from Jerusalem, preserving the historical status of Al-Aqsa Mosque, stopping unilateral Israeli actions, reopening the U.S. Consulate in East Jerusalem, and removing the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from the U.S. list of terrorist organizations.

President Abbas stressed that all unilateral Israeli actions and ongoing aggression against the Palestinian people, their land, and holy sites must cease—particularly the incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque, restrictions on worship at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and continued raids on Palestinian cities, villages, and refugee camps resulting in the killing of unarmed civilians.

He also underscored that Israel's ongoing deductions from Palestinian tax revenues must stop, warning that if these practices persist, the Palestinian leadership will be compelled to implement the decisions of the PLO Central Council.

“The situation on the ground has become unbearable and cannot be tolerated,” President Abbas said, affirming that the Palestinian leadership will continue working to safeguard the interests of its people and ensure their freedom and independence.

For his part, Secretary Blinken confirmed President Biden’s upcoming visit to the region to meet with President Abbas and to explore the best ways to support the two-state solution and make tangible progress on all fronts.