President Abbas Welcomes The Recognition Of The Palestinian State

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. (Source: Presidency of The Republic of Turkey)

JAKARTA - President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the announcement of Palestinian state recognition by a number of countries on Sunday, saying securing a ceasefire, the entry of humanitarian aid and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip are currently a priority.

Britain, Australia, Canada, and Portugal announced the recognition of the Palestinian State on Sunday, referring to the increasingly worrying conditions in the Gaza Strip as well as the two-state peaceful solution.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said recognition would help pave the way for "Palestinian countries to coexist with the State of Israel in good security, peace, and neighboring relations," he said.

President Abbas stressed that this is an important step and it is necessary to achieve a just and lasting peace in accordance with legitimate international resolutions, quoted from WAFA.

He said recognition of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, freedom and independence would pave the way for the implementation of a two-state solution, allowing the Palestinian State to coexist with the State of Israel in good security, peace, and neighboring relations.

He stressed that the current priority is the ceasefire, the entry of aid, the release of all hostages and detainees, the full withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip.

According to him, the Palestinian State bears full responsibility for recovery and reconstruction efforts, as well as the end of residential activities and terrorism of settlers.

President Abbas also reaffirmed all commitments and reforms promised by the Palestinian State.

The recognition of Palestinian countries by the UK, Australia, Canada, and Portugal is said to be followed by a number of countries at the UN General Assembly Session, which this week entered High-level Week.

Israel itself has again expressed its rejection of the Palestinian State's recognition, calling it only to benefit the Hamas militant group.