Abbas and Macron call for Israel to stop aggression against Palestinians

Middle East Monitor  /  July 21, 2022

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, called on Wednesday for Israel to stop its aggression against Palestinians and their land. Abbas praised the French position in support of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the Élysée Palace, the Palestinian leader also thanked France for its support for the two-state solution in line with UN resolutions as the Palestinian people seek to the realize their right to independence and freedom. He expressed his willingness to engage with France on moves towards peace based on international law and UN resolutions, so as to put an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories based on the 1967 borders.

The veteran politician underscored the need to stop unilateral actions that undermine the two-state solution, mainly illegal Israeli colonial settlements, and implement the signed agreements as a prelude to transition to a political horizon based on the two-state solution.

In response, Macron reiterated his country’s stance in support of the Palestinians through the EU and UNRWA. He too stressed his country’s support for the two-state solution and the creation of an independent Palestinian state. “We have to put an end to the unilateral measures, mainly those related to the settlement policies and confiscation of Palestinian property, which amount to violations of international law.”

______

France President calls for direct political dialogue between Israel, Palestine

Middle East Monitor  /  July 20, 2022

The French President, on Wednesday, called for direct dialogue between Israel and Palestine, Anadolu News Agency reports.

“In the short term, we know, this first requires the end of unilateral measures on the ground,” Emmanuel Macron said in a joint news conference with Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, at Élysée Palace in Paris.

“I am thinking, in particular, of the evictions of Palestinian families, the demolitions, and the settlement policy contrary to international law, which remove the possibility of establishing a Palestinian State living in peace alongside Israel,” Macron added.

He said that this peace also requires “the resumption of a direct political dialogue between the Israelis and the Palestinians.”

Abbas, for his part, said that the option of a two-state solution is “eroding” due to Israeli measures and practices and Palestinians “have been waiting for 74 years to get rid of the occupation.”

He went on to say: “There are no people in the world living under foreign occupation, except us.”

Abbas called on European countries that have not recognized the State of Palestine to recognize it with the aim of “preserving the two-state solution before it is too late.”

At the invitation of the French President, Abbas arrived in Paris on an official visit on Tuesday, travelling from Romania’s capital, Bucharest.