President Abbas Meets with Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez in Madrid

Madrid: President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in the Spanish capital, Madrid. Speaking during a joint press conference, President Abbas expressed his profound gratitude for Prime Minister Sánchez's sincere efforts and Spain's positions in support of the Palestinian people's rights and the realization of peace based on justice and international law. According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, President Abbas renewed his gratitude to Spain for its historic decision to recognize the State of Palestine, and for its pioneering role and efforts to establish the international coalition aimed at expanding the wave of recognitions of the State of Palestine. This coalition advances the implementation of the two-state solution and contributes to the issuance of the New York Declaration as a means to consolidate the political track and uphold UN Resolutions. He noted that he had 'in-depth' and 'constructive' discussions with Prime Minister Sánchez, stressing t he importance of the full and urgent implementation of President Trump's plan and the UNSC resolution to stop Israel's genocidal war. This includes allowing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, reinstating essential services, preventing the forced displacement of Palestinians, ensuring Israeli occupation forces' withdrawal from the Strip, enabling the State of Palestine to assume its responsibilities, and initiating the reconstruction process. President Abbas added that the meeting also addressed the need to halt the dangerous developments in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. This involves stopping Israeli colonial settlement expansion, annexation of Palestinian land, colonist violence, and releasing Palestinian tax revenues withheld by the occupation authorities. He voiced his profound gratitude to Spain not only for the humanitarian assistance it provides to Palestinians but also for its continued support for Palestinian state institution-building efforts. This support strengthens the Palestinians' steadfastness on their land and enables them to continue their struggle for freedom and independence. The President affirmed adherence to the two-state solution based on the UN Resolutions and international law, as well as to the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian State, based on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel.