RAMALLAH, November 14, 2024 (WAFA) – On the eve of the 36th anniversary of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence, President Mahmoud Abbas reaffirmed Palestine’s unwavering commitment to its national rights and principles.
In a speech delivered on Thursday, the Palestinian leader stated that the Palestinian people “will not compromise on their rights or abandon their pursuit of freedom, independence, and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state.”
“We will not deviate, we will not concede, and we will not bargain away our rights and national constants,” President Abbas declared. “Our hand remains extended for peace, but not at any cost. Peace begins with our right to an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
President Abbas emphasized that the Palestinian people’s existence and their rights cannot be erased or ignored. Central to these rights, he said, are the right of return, self-determination, and the freedoms and independence the Palestinian people have long struggled for.
Who is Mahmoud Abbas?
Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, is the President of the Palestinian Authority (PA) since 2005 and chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Born in 1935, he was a key figure in Palestinian politics and peace negotiations with Israel, including his role in the 1993 Oslo Accords.
He succeeded Yasser Arafat as the Palestinian leader but has faced criticism for remaining in power beyond his electoral mandate, with no new presidential elections held since 2005. His leadership has been marked by complex relationships with both Israel and Hamas, and debates over his effectiveness in advancing Palestinian interests.
Reflecting on the significance of the 1988 Declaration of Independence, President Abbas stressed that it was not a symbolic gesture, but rather a central goal of the Palestinian national struggle. He underscored that the right to independence remains a legitimate and non-negotiable aspiration for the Palestinian people.
“The Declaration of Independence paved the way for the principle of a two-state solution and a just and comprehensive peace based on international law and the United Nations’ resolutions,” he stated.
“Any talk of protecting the two-state solution must begin with an immediate cessation of aggression against Gaza and an end to the crimes committed by the occupation forces and settlers in the West Bank and Jerusalem,” President Abbas asserted. “We will not accept any plans or statements that indicate deliberate expansionist intentions.”
The President also urged the international community to continue supporting Palestine’s right to full membership in the United Nations and to maintain diplomatic recognition of the State of Palestine. He expressed appreciation for the countries that have recognized Palestine as a sovereign state and supported its right to freedom and independence.
“We are grateful to those who have stood with us and recognized the State of Palestine. We call on the international community to support our efforts for full UN membership and continued recognition of our state,” President Abbas concluded.
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Source: english.wafa.ps
