Abbas rejects change in Arab Peace Initiative

Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday rejected any changes to the Arab Peace Initiative, stressing that he is sticking to it as it was approved by the Arab League in 2002, Safa news agency reported.

In a statement issued to mark the 49th anniversary of the 1967 occupation of Jerusalem and the West Bank, Abbas said: “The Palestinians will not accept anything less than full end to the Israeli occupation which started in 1967 and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state in the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

“Our people who have sacrificed for this will never accept any Israeli de facto solution imposed forcefully in Jerusalem.”

“The Palestinian leadership is sticking to the two-state solution, living safely and peacefully beside each other.”

He added that all Palestinians are united behind this goal as well as to sticking to the “legitimate rights” recognised by the international community. He noted that he accepts all international efforts aiming to “revive a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace solution.”

The PA president stressed that Palestinians’ “will is stronger” and more “persistent” to regain their rights, maintain their national principles and protect their holy sites.