RAMALLAH, Monday, October 11, 2021 – President Mahmoud Abbas affirmed during a telephone call with Pope Francis the importance of launching a political process that would bring an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and secure East Jerusalem as its capital.

During the conversation, President Abbas briefed Pope Francis on the latest developments concerning the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the need to halt the attacks carried out by settlers and Israeli occupation forces in Jerusalem particularly the repeated incursions by extremists into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the violations of the site’s long-standing historical status quo.

He also warned of the dangers posed by home demolitions and the forced expulsions of Palestinian families in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan.

President Abbas expressed his deep appreciation for the longstanding friendship and cooperation with the Vatican, and for the Holy See’s role in supporting stability and peace in the region. He reaffirmed the Palestinian leadership’s commitment to a peace process based on United Nations resolutions and under the auspices of the International Quartet.

The President stressed the importance of respecting and implementing signed agreements, safeguarding security and the rule of law, maintaining the Christian presence in the Holy Land, and promoting a climate of tolerance.

For his part, Pope Francis said: “We all want a two-state solution, and East Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine. This is the right path, because it is the path to peace.” He expressed his satisfaction in continuing communication with President Abbas as the President of Palestine and affirmed that he will continue to stand by him and support efforts aimed at achieving peace.