Presidential spokesman: No backtracking on decision to hold elections

Jerusalem24 – Speaking to Voice of Palestine, Abu Rudeineh announced that the decision to hold the general elections would not be reversed because elections are a “democratic and a popular requirement” while affirming that they would be held based on clear and proper rules.

He added that the Fatah movement is determined to run on one unified electoral list in the first full presidential and parliamentary elections in 15 years.

Commenting on contacts with the new US administration, Abu Rudeineh said that the Palestinian leadership has initiated contacts with US President Joe Biden’s administration, which has voiced explicit support for the two-state solution and rejection to any unilateral steps, noting that the relation with the Biden administration was progressing, albeit slowly.

“This administration faces its internal problems; however, there are contacts with it. These contacts will create an atmosphere conducive to resumption of normal relations as was the case since the Oslo Accords,” he said.

Abu Rudeineh welcomed any efforts aimed at safeguarding the two-state solution in line with international law, including the recent meeting and coordination among German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas with his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, French counterpart, Jean‑Yves Le Drian and Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry.

While welcoming the meeting held in the Munich format, he stressed that it would not serve as a substitute for the Middle East Peace Quartet, as he made reference to European and Arab efforts to facilitate the revival of the peace process which remains stalled as a result of the former US administration’s measures and the Israeli government’s actions.

Highlighting the Palestinian leadership’s stance on the resumption of the peace process, he reiterated President Mahmoud Abbas’ vision for convening an international conference for Middle East peace with full powers and with the participation of all concerned parties, based on international law and UN resolutions.

He also reiterated firm rejection to Israeli colonial settlement construction/ expansion plans.

“Israel knows that real peace requires the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and entails dismantling all colonial settlements within the borders of the Palestinian state pursuant to the international resolutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334,”he added.

Abu Rudeineh also touched upon the recent Kosovo’s inauguration of an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem, slamming the move as “in violation of international law, which provide that Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine” and reiterating absolute rejection of any plan in this respect.