Palestinian President Urges Protection of Two-State Solution

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrives to deliver a speech during the 34th session of the UNHRC in Geneva Monday.

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Geneva, 30 Jumadil Awwal 1438/27 February 2017 (MINA) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is urging the international community to protect the two-state solution as Israel expands settlement construction.

Addressing the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Monday, Mr Abbas called on states that believe in two states “to come to the defence of that solution” and recognise the state of Palestine.

“This solution must be protected from any attempt to withdraw from it it or simply disregard it,” belfasttelegraph.co.uk quoted Abbas as saying.

He denounced the settlement activity and Israel’s passage this month of a law meant to retroactively legalise thousands of West Bank settlement homes built unlawfully on private Palestinian land.

He said the law “legitimises the theft of occupied Palestinian lands”.

Mr Abbas also cautioned against the transfer of any embassy to Jerusalem, a scenario raised by President Donald Trump. (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)