Palestinian National Authority (PNA) President Mahmoud Abbas stated on Friday that the entity he is leading is prepared to "assume our full responsibilities" in negotiating and reaching a "comprehensive political solution" that will lead to the establishment of a two-state system in Israel.
In the address he gave to honor the anniversary of his predecessor Yasser Arafat's death, Abbas insisted that such a solution must include "the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza" as "security and peace in our region will only be achieved by ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, including East Jerusalem, based on the 1967 borders."
Commenting on Israel's campaign against Hamas in Gaza and how it affects civilians, Abbas wondered "[h]ow can the world remain silent in the face of the killing and injury of over 40,000 Palestinians, predominantly children, and women, and the destruction of tens of thousands of homes, infrastructure, hospitals, and shelters?"
