Bethlehem (agencies)
Yesterday, US President Joe Biden affirmed that his commitment to the two-state solution has not changed, because it is the best way to achieve security, prosperity, freedom and equal democracy for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, stressing that he will not abandon attempts to establish peace.
Biden added, in a joint press conference with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas after their meeting in Bethlehem: “I consider myself one of the first supporters of the two-state solution, while I stand with you today as President of the United States, my commitment to this goal has not changed … Two states on the borders of a year. 1967».
He continued, “The Palestinian people deserve to have their own independent, sovereign, viable and sustainable state… two states that fully enjoy equal rights for citizens.”
“I know that the goal of a two-state solution seems remote, while there are restrictions on freedom and travel and the daily concern for the safety of your children,” the US president said.
He stressed the importance of not losing hope and working for peace, stressing: “We must create a political horizon for the Palestinian people, and we must not allow the lack of hope to steal the future.”
Biden made it clear that the United States will not give up trying to bring the Palestinian and Israeli sides closer, despite the lack of grounds to restart negotiations.
He indicated that when Israel’s relationship with its neighbors in the region improves, this momentum can be used to revive the peace process.
He stressed the need for there to be a cessation of violence, which has claimed the lives of Palestinians and Israelis. On Jerusalem, Biden said: “It must be an open city for all and preserve the status quo, and Jordan should continue its guardianship over the holy sites.”
Biden announced an additional $200 million in aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to continue doing its work in helping the Palestinian people, especially children.
“We must not wait until a peace agreement is reached, and we must deal with the needs of the Palestinian people, we must send them hope,” he said, noting that the United States is a partner in improving the daily lives of the Palestinian people.
“Now we are engaging in talks with Israel to improve the economic conditions of the Palestinian people,” he added.
Prior to his arrival in Bethlehem, the US President visited Al Mutlaa Hospital in Jerusalem and announced the provision of $100 million in aid to support Palestinian hospitals in East Jerusalem, praising the UAE’s contribution of $25 million to the Palestinian health sector.
Biden said, in a speech during his visit to the hospital, that “the United States will continue to work with the Palestinian leadership, Israel, and all international partners to ensure that the hospital network in East Jerusalem continues to provide the high-quality medical services that the Palestinian people deserve.”
Biden indicated that he is an Irish-American, saying, “We have a long history that is no different from the Palestinian people.”
For his part, President Abbas affirmed that Biden’s meeting was an opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and peoples, and to review what the United States can contribute in order to create the atmosphere to create a political horizon for achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in our region.
He indicated that he assured President Biden the importance of restoring the foundations of the peace process based on international legitimacy resolutions and on the basis of the two-state solution on the 1967 borders.
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