Abbas to J Street: The US must cancel the PLO’s declaration as a terrorist group

“We are trying to develop and strengthen bilateral relations with the new US administration for the common interest of both countries and the interest of peace and prosperity in our region,” Abbas said in a virtual address to the US assembly.

He explained that ties between the AP and the US were broken when former US President Donald Trump was in the White House, but that the AP was now trying to open a new page with the Biden administration.

“However, this requires the removal of obstacles, the most important of which is the removal of the PLO’s name from the terrorism list under the 1987 Anti-Terrorism Act of Congress,” Abbas said, referring to legislation that marked the PLO. as a group terror.

Most US presidents until Trump dropped the act, thus allowing links between the PLO and the US. Instead of restoring the waiver, Abbas wants the act annulled.

He urged J Street to help the AP influence the Biden administration and the US Congress “to repeal all laws that block the road to strengthening Palestinian-American relations.”

Abbas seemed to refer to laws enacted during the Trump administration to prevent direct financial assistance from the PA to the U.S. government, as long as the PA provides monthly aid to incarcerated terrorists and the families of terrorists.

“For our part, we will remove all obstacles to achieve this goal. The continuity of these laws is frustrating and unconstructive, “said Abbas.

Abbas reaffirmed his support for a two-state conflict settlement, based on pre-1967 guidelines.

“We believe in the two-state solution, based on pre-June 1967 borders, based on international law,” with “East Jerusalem as its capital,” Abbas said.

Such a Palestinian capital, Abbas said, would be “a city open to all believers and followers of the three monotheistic religions.” Only then will the states of Palestine and Israel be able to prosper and live side by side in peace and security. “

Despite his commitment to re-establish ties with the United States, he clarified that he was no longer seen as the sole intermediary in a peace process and called for a negotiation with Israel led by the Quartet, which consists of the United States, the United Nations and the United Nations. European Union and Russia.

“We are ready to resume peace negotiations with our Israeli counterpart on the basis of the resolution of international legitimacy, the agreements signed and under the auspices of the International Quartet,” Abbas said.

He warned against entrenched “occupation” and “apartheid-like” Israeli practices and a one-size-fits-all solution to the conflict, unless negotiations that last took place in 2014 were resumed.

“The removal of the two-state solution will eventually lead to a de facto one-state solution, an apartheid state, and this is not accepted by us or the world. A one-state solution will only perpetuate the conflict, “Abbas said.

On Friday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi also called on the Palestinians to negotiate a peace agreement with Israel. Neither side presented a positive peace initiative. The Biden administration has not made resolving the conflict a top priority, nor is it likely that talks can take place until Israel has a government and the PA holds leadership elections this summer.

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert also spoke about the importance of a two-state solution to the conflict, noting that this is the only solution when he gave a video address to the J Street conference.

“It has to be done and it can be done,” he said. “I am firmly convinced that even today, if the two sides stay together, we can resolve this conflict on this basis.”

Olmert went on to say that “what we need to do is agree that the Palestinian state will be established on the basis of the ’67 borders. There will be some changes to the border, but the total size of the territory will remain as it was in 67. ”He said that about 5% of the West Bank will be annexed to Israel,“ and territories of equal size from what Israel was before 1967 will be part of the Palestinian state. ”

The Speaker of the Chamber, Nancy Pelosi, addressed the virtual event and said that, in Congress, “support for the unbreakable US-Israel relationship remains bipartisan and hot.”

“We will continue to pursue a secure peace and prosperity for Israel, the Palestinians and the region,” Pelosi continued. “Our new unified democratic government is committed to proven diplomatic efforts to advance progress and lasting peace, to renew our commitment to justice and peace for all who call Israel home.”

She went on to say that the House will continue to work to build on the 2019 resolution, which reaffirmed US support for a two-state solution “and which enhances stability and security for Israel, the Palestinian people and the region.”

“It must be a real solution that requires us to oppose the actions of any party that impedes progress,” she said. Pelosi also made a brief comment on the indirect negotiations in Vienna between the US and Iran: “At this American political moment, our pro-democracy majority is with the Biden-Harris administration, as it engages with allies and partners. to make sure that Iran never gets nuclear weapons, ”she said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he will ensure that the United States remains committed “to strengthening its relationship with Israel, working for its security and prosperity, and continuing to find ways for Israelis and Palestinians to live together in peace, security.” and dignity. ”

“A secure, secure and democratic Israel, a two-state solution is what we must continue to advocate,” Schumer said. “Those who are trying to use this as a means to score political points are doing a service to both Israel and the United States. Strong bipartisan support is the basis of Israeli-US relations. ”