Palestinian president hopes for renewed ‘political dialogue’ with Israel after new government formed

By Qais Omar Darwesh and Lina Altawell

RAMALLAH, Palestine / ISTANBUL (AA) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday expressed hope that the formation of a new Israeli government would provide an opportunity to resume “serious political dialogue” aimed at reaching peace in line with international resolutions.

“The Palestinian side is seeking peace through adherence to international resolutions and principles, including UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, as well as international law and human rights principles,” he said at a joint news conference with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides on the island, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.

“The key to security, peace and stability in the region lies in implementing international legitimacy resolutions,” Abbas added.

He reiterated the Palestinian leadership’s commitment to peaceful popular resistance and said Palestinians would continue pursuing their rights through peaceful, legal, and diplomatic means.

“The Palestinian leadership has for years extended its hand to the Israeli side in an effort to achieve peace and allow both Palestinians and Israelis to live in security and stability,” the president said.

“We hope that the new Israeli government, once formed, will provide an opportunity to resume serious political dialogue leading to peace in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions,” he said.

His remarks came as Israel remains without a clear governing majority following Tuesday’s elections.

With 95% of votes counted Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc had secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while the opposition Change bloc had 48 and Arab parties held 19.

Neither of the two main blocs had reached the 61 seats required to form a government.

“The objective goes beyond reaching peace between Palestinians and Israelis to establishing broader regional peace that would provide security and stability between Israel and neighboring Arab and Muslim countries,” Abbas said.

He also expressed hope that the Greek Cypriot Administration would play a positive role in supporting peace efforts, bringing the sides closer together and encouraging Palestinian-Israeli dialogue.

Abbas praised its support for Palestinian rights and said Palestine was keen to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation.

“The two sides would also discuss conditions facing Palestinians amid continued Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem,” he said.

For his part, Christodoulides reiterated his administration’s support for resolving the Palestinian issue on the basis of UN resolutions and stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation to promote regional security and stability.

“The Greek Cypriot administration seeks to contribute to solutions to regional issues and is prepared to play an active role in supporting Palestine and efforts to address outstanding disputes,” he said.