Ramallah, April 23 (Petra) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas praised His Majesty King Abdullah II for his unwavering support for the Palestinian people and his strong stance against Israeli attempt to expel Palestinians.

During his address at the opening of the 32nd session of the Palestinian Central Council on Wednesday, Abbas lauded the King's commitment to safeguarding the holy sites in Palestine.

Abbas called for the prevention of any attempts to displace the Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip, noting the significance of coordinating efforts with both Jordan and Egypt.

He praised Jordan and Egypt's "decisive and honourable" positions in rejecting displacement and supporting the Palestinian people's presence in their homeland.

Abbas thanked Arab leaders for their solidarity in the Palestinian struggle, stating, "I cannot fail to acknowledge the support of our brotherly Arab leaders kings, princes and presidents all of whom have stood with us in our fight for freedom, independence and self-determination."

Abbas underscored the urgent need to halt what he described as the Israeli "campaign of extermination" against the Gaza Strip and called for complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the territory.

He called for an end to the repeated Israeli assaults on Palestinian cities, villages and camps in the occupied West Bank, as well as for the protection of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, Hebron and across Palestinian territories.

Abbas stressed that the actions of the Israeli occupation forces in the occupied West Bank are aimed at undermining the Palestinian national cause and imposing colonial practices through violence.

He noted that the situation in Jerusalem, "our eternal and sacred capital," reflects the broader challenges facing the Palestinian homeland.

He said Israel has sought to impose a fait accompli on the Palestinian people through a strict siege, the destruction of homes and facilities and the obstruction of access to holy sites, all while combatting Palestinian identity and presence through aggression and terror.

The President condemned Israel's violation of international law and its disregard for signed agreements with the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).

He criticised the economic blockade on Palestinians, including the withholding of over two billion dollars in clearance revenues by Israel, alongside the seizure of Palestinian-owned lands and property.

Abbas emphasized the necessity for the Palestinian National Authority to uphold its responsibilities across all Palestinian territories Gaza Strip, the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem without discrimination.

He called for a renewed commitment to national unity founded on shared legal, institutional and political frameworks.

To realise this goal, he said, Hamas must relinquish its control of the Gaza Strip and transfer governance to the Palestinian National Authority, thereby enhancing security and stability throughout the territories.

He said peace could be achieved by ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories AND establising a Palestinian state.

//Petra// AK

23/04/2025 17:22:13