Abbas calls for global pressure on Israel to allow elections in Jerusalem

Palestinian Authority (PA), PLO and Fatah President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday called on the international community to put pressure on Israel to allow Palestinian elections to be held in Jerusalem, Quds Press reported.

His remarks came during his meeting with the Governor-General of Australia, David Hurley, in Ramallah.

Abbas stressed his plans to reinforce Palestinian-Australian relations for the sake of the “interests of both friendly nations”, while hailing the Australian economic support for the Palestinians, including their support for the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

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He went on to brief Hurley about the latest developments regarding the Palestinian issue and Israel’s disregard for internationally-brokered deals.

He stressed on the importance of finding an alternative broker for the peace process instead of the US after its latest decisions and measures which favoured Israel.

For his part, Hurley expressed his country’s support for peace and stability in the Middle East and noted that Australia is looking forward to reinforcing friendship and cooperation with the Palestinians in several fields.