President Abbas discusses latest developments with French Foreign Minister in Ramallah

RAMALLAH: President Mahmoud Abbas received today in Ramallah the French Foreign Minister, Stéphane Séjourné and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, President Abbas briefed the French minister on the latest developments in the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, especially in the Gaza Strip, and efforts made to immediately stop the war of genocide committed against the Palestinian people. President Abbas stressed the importance of increasing humanitarian, relief and medical aid and accelerating its entry into the Strip to enable shelter centers and hospitals to play their role in providing the necessary assistance to help alleviate the suffering of civilians, particularly in light of the extremely cold weather conditions. The President reiterated Palestine’s categorical rejection of the displacement of any Palestinian, whether in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, affirming that: “Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian state,” stating that the plans of the occupation authorities to separate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including Jerusalem, cannot be accepted nor dealt with, emphasizing his rejection of the reoccupation and reduction of its territory. President Abbas stressed the need for the Israeli authorities to stop their ongoing practices and attacks against the Palestinian people in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and to put an end to the ongoing crimes carried out by terrorist colonists. The president also called on the Israeli occupation authorities to release the withheld tax funds. President Abbas praised the French positions in support of reaching a ceasefire and putting an end to the targeting of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, stating that France’s positions are in line with international law. The President affirmed the need for France to put words into action by recognizing the State of Palestine and supporting its efforts for full UN membership, noting that: “This is the co rrect path to implementing the political solution in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative based on the two-state solution." He also emphasized the need to hold an international peace conference to achieve a comprehensive peace plan, to be implemented with international guarantees and a specific timetable. Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA