Gaza city: President Mahmoud Abbas declared on Thursday that safeguarding the Palestinian populace, reinforcing their resilience, and counteracting displacement and annexation schemes are the principal duties of the leadership and the Fatah movement. His remarks were made during the inaugural session of the Revolutionary Council of Fatah, convened under the banner "Steadfastness and Resilience." This session took place at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah, with parallel meetings occurring in Cairo and Beirut.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, President Abbas highlighted the severe and multifaceted challenges faced by Palestinians due to ongoing occupation, aggression, and settlement growth. He noted the deliberate attempts to destabilize Palestinian national institutions and impose conditions that threaten their land, existence, and future statehood. Abbas emphasized the importance of Palestinian resilience and peaceful popular resistance in villages and towns as the primary defense line for their land, deserving comprehensive support.
The President issued a caution regarding the Israeli settlement plan known as E1, which aims to divide the northern and southern parts of the occupied West Bank, isolate East Jerusalem, and jeopardize the establishment of a contiguous independent Palestinian state. He urged the international community to assume its responsibilities and halt this plan. Additionally, Abbas emphasized preserving the historical and legal status of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and Hebron, rejecting any actions that would alter their identity or limit worship freedoms.
Abbas criticized Israel's withholding of over $6 billion in Palestinian funds, labeling it as more than just financial pressure. He argued that it is part of a broader strategy to weaken Palestinian endurance and push them toward emigration. The President affirmed his ongoing dialogues with international entities, including the European Union, to secure fund releases, halt settlement expansion, and protect the two-state solution.
Regarding Gaza, Abbas reiterated the necessity for the swift and comprehensive execution of the second phase of US President Donald Trump's plan, which includes a ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal, unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery, and the initiation of recovery and reconstruction efforts. He called for the empowerment of Palestinian state institutions in Gaza, stressing its integral role within the State of Palestine.
President Abbas also addressed the national reform program, emphasizing its implementation and the development of governance and public administration, in collaboration with the European Union and international partners. He clarified that these reforms stem from a national choice to build modern, democratic state institutions, not in response to external pressures.
He underlined the significance of renewing national legitimacy through elections, announcing November 28 as the date for legislative elections. Abbas detailed the election process, including selecting members for the Palestinian National Council, which underscores Palestinian national unity and self-determination.
On the international stage, Abbas committed to working with global coalitions to implement the two-state solution and lead the international peace conference. He noted the rising number of countries recognizing the State of Palestine, now at 160, and efforts to engage with nations yet to grant recognition, such as Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany. Abbas also mentioned upcoming meetings in New York on September 24 to bolster international backing for Palestinian rights and pursue the New York Declaration's implementation.