RAMALLAH, Monday, January 03, 2022 — The Fatah Revolutionary Council held its ninth session today at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah, headed by President Mahmoud Abbas and attended by members of the Fatah Central Committee.

Opening the session, President Abbas delivered a political address in which he reviewed the latest developments concerning the Palestinian cause.

He noted that Palestinians recently marked the fifty-seventh anniversary of the launch of the Palestinian revolution an occasion he described as worthy of “this great, steadfast people,” and one that reached Palestinians around the world this year. The widespread commemorations, he said, reaffirm the people’s unity behind the national project despite mounting challenges.

President Abbas saluted “the heroes of the peaceful popular resistance” confronting settler attacks across Palestinian cities, towns, and refugee camps, stressing that this form of resistance “has won and will win, because it defends truth and justice.” He added that Palestinians of all ages the elderly, youth, women, and children have taken part in protecting their land against settler violence, citing Barqa, Kafr Qaddoum, Beita, Deir Istiya, Asira al-Shamaliya, Masafer Yatta, Sebastia, and Jerusalem as examples.

Turning to the upcoming session of the Palestinian Central Council, President Abbas said it would be “extremely important” in adopting decisive measures to safeguard the Palestinian cause and principles. “The Council will make fateful decisions that serve our people and their just struggle,” he said.

He reiterated that Palestinian leadership has presented a clear political vision to the international community one that calls for a genuine political process aimed at ending the Israeli occupation in line with international legitimacy and under the umbrella of the International Quartet. “We will not accept an occupation that remains forever,” he stressed.

President Abbas emphasized the importance of convening Fatah’s eighth congress to produce political and organizational outcomes that “mobilize the movement’s great capabilities,” noting that Fatah remains the backbone of the national project.

Addressing the economic situation and current financial crisis, he said Palestine is facing pressure and “a siege imposed on us,” but affirmed that the leadership will not abandon the families of martyrs, prisoners, and fighters. He pointed to ongoing economic development projects aimed at supporting citizens’ resilience and strengthening the national economy.

The President praised the successful completion of the first phase of municipal elections, which witnessed a strong turnout, and underscored the need to ensure the success of the second phase as part of the Palestinian people’s right to choose their representatives.

On the coronavirus pandemic, President Abbas said Palestinian medical, security, and government teams continue to make major efforts to confront COVID-19, noting that the government has secured vaccines to protect public health.