Abbas Expresses Gratitude to UN Chief for Opposing Forced Displacement of Palestinians

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, has expressed his appreciation for UN Secretary-General António Guterres's stance against the forced displacement of the Palestinian people and their expulsion from their land.

In a telegram sent to the Secretary-General, which was reported by the Palestinian news agency WAFA, President Abbas highly valued Guterres's positions, which align with international law and are deemed essential for achieving security and peace in the region. These positions include rejecting the resumption of fighting and destruction in Gaza by reinforcing and sustaining the ceasefire, and facilitating humanitarian aid.

President Abbas stated, "We deeply value Secretary-General Guterres's firm opposition to the displacement of the Palestinian people and their removal from their land, as well as his support for the Palestinian National Authority's responsibilities in Gaza, including taking over the Rafah crossing, geographically connecting Gaza and the West Bank, initiating reconstruction measures, and the crucial goal of achieving a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders in accordance with international legality, and realizing a comprehensive and just peace in the region."

President Abbas also strongly rejected any plans that aim to displace Gaza residents to other countries and opposed any cessation of the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Palestine. He called on the international community to provide the necessary support to enable UNRWA to continue its operations as mandated by the United Nations, adding, "We are ready to work with brotherly and friendly countries to accelerate reconstruction and connect it to the West Bank through the Palestinian National Authority."

Furthermore, President Abbas emphasized his commitment to pursuing all means to achieve a fair peace based on a two-state solution, in accordance with international law, and the full membership of the State of Palestine in the United Nations, ensuring that all peoples in the region live in security, peace, and stability.