London – Ramallah – Zaytoun News
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received a phone call today from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, informing him that Britain will recognize the State of Palestine in September before the UN General Assembly convenes, unless Israel takes substantive steps to end the horrific situation in Gaza and commits to a long-term, sustainable peace.
This includes allowing the United Nations to resume the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of the Gaza Strip without delay to end the famine, agreeing to a ceasefire, and affirming that it will not pursue any annexation plans in the West Bank.
Starmer emphasized that Britain will continue to work with its key allies to develop a plan for political negotiations and the implementation of the two-state solution.
At this time, the British government has decided to send urgent humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, transfer wounded children from Gaza for treatment in British hospitals, and press for the resumption of aid deliveries through UN agencies.
The British Prime Minister extended an official invitation to President Abbas to visit Britain to complete the discussions.
For his part, President Abbas thanked the British Prime Minister for this historic position in recognizing the State of Palestine and for working together for peace and stability, emphasizing that this courageous stance comes at a significant historical moment.
In this context, President Abbas called on countries that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to do so, to give hope that there is a genuine international will to end the occupation and achieve peace based on international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
This will enable the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967, lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, to live in security and peace with its neighbors, and to move forward with reconstruction, the President said.
He emphasized the priority of the State of Palestine in achieving a ceasefire, allowing aid to enter, ending starvation, lifting the siege, releasing prisoners and hostages, preventing displacement, enabling the State of Palestine to fully assume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, and ensuring Israel’s full withdrawal.
On the other hand, President Abbas emphasized that “we are preparing to hold elections in accordance with the Palestine Liberation Organization’s program and international commitments.”
He stressed the need to release Palestinian tax revenues and halt colonists’ terrorism and attacks on Islamic and Christian places of worship.
At the end of the call, it was agreed to continue coordination and joint work and to strengthen bilateral relations between the State of Palestine and Britain at various levels.
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