Abbas: U.S. is no longer credible mediator

CAIRO – 22 December 2017: Both France and Palestine have affirmed their calling for a peaceful two-state solution between Israel and Palestine in a press conference held by both the French President Emmanuel Macron and the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, on Friday in Paris.

“After Trump’s decision and moving the embassy to Jerusalem, the U.S. is no longer a credible mediator in the conflict and we will not accept its mediation,” President Abbas stated during the conference. “Anyone who makes a decision like that is not capable of finding a peaceful solution to any conflict in the Middle East,” he added.

Abbas stressed that he aims for a two-state solution with Israel. “Israel is our neighbor, we want to have peace with it, we want to live in peace side by side.”

Until they find a peaceful solution that satisfies both parties, Abbas has called and stressed on Palestinians that they need to demonstrate peacefully. During his speech he reaffirmed several times that “not one Palestinian bullet was fired” during any of the demonstrations that they have held. “Yet, many Palestinians have fallen dead due to Israeli bullets.”

On his part, President Macron stressed that France will do its best to ensure that they work with both the Palestinians and Israelis.

“The U.S. sometimes wants to lead unilaterally and then it decides it wants peace between Israel and Palestine… I have clarified that the solution has to be a two-state endeavor. We speak to everyone, and we work without making declarations, and we work to find a solution when the right moment comes. France won’t force any diplomatic solutions.”

On Saudi Arabia’s mediation and stance in the issue, Abbas has emphasized that they offer Palestine unconditional support.

“Saudis always say to us, and this is very known about them, ‘Whatever you want we will do. We will never interfere.’ King Salman said to me, ‘We cannot solve the Middle East issue until Palestine is acknowledged as a state and Jerusalem is its official capital,’” Abbas said.

Speaking on the matter of the Palestinian reconciliation, the Palestinian president also reaffirmed their commitment to it.

“I know it’s hard, and I know it’ll take time, but we are determined to reconcile,” he said.