[Thursday, May 8 2014] During his meeting with US National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated that Tel Aviv must respect all signed agreements, release all detainees held since before the First Oslo Agreement, and must stop its settlement activities.Abbas’s Spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rodeina, stated that the two leaders discussed the latest developments, including the setback in peace talks, and that Abbas told Rice that Israel obstructed direct talks by its ongoing violations and preconditions.
Abu Rodeina added that Abbas stressed all Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine are illegitimate under International Law, and that Israel should stop these activities, if it is interested in comprehensive peace.
Rice presented some ideas regarding the resumption of direct talks, without obliging Israel to stop its violations and settlement activities. Abbas told her that the Palestinians are committed to a serious peace process leading to the end of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and establishing an independent Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Referring to the National Unity Agreement, and reconciliation between the rival Fateh and Hamas parties, Abbas said that it is in the best interest of the Palestinian people to be a united nation, and a united land, adding that this can only be achieved through national unity, and forming a government of technocrats that prepare from comprehensive elections.
