Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized that the key to peace and security begins with the recognition of the State of Palestine, stressing that peace starts from Palestine and Jerusalem. In a joint press conference with U.S. President Joe Biden, Abbas stated, "We discussed ways to enhance our relations and review what the United States can contribute to reviving the peace process," noting that "we have respected international legitimacy and committed to fighting terrorism." He affirmed, "We look forward to steps from the U.S. administration by reopening the American consulate in East Jerusalem, removing the Palestine Liberation Organization from the terrorism list, and reopening the organization's offices in Washington. We also look for a halt to settlement activities and the violence of settlers, and respect for the historical status of holy sites under Jordanian guardianship." He added: "Halting arrests and incursions and holding accountable the killers of the martyr Shireen Abu Akleh," stressing that "peace begins in Palestine and Jerusalem, and we extend our hands for peace and cooperation with you to achieve it."
For his part, Biden stated that "the Palestinian people have the right to have an independent, sovereign, and viable state that is geographically connected. There must be two states for two peoples to live side by side in security and peace, respecting each other's citizens' rights, and everyone must be treated with dignity, which is a basic and essential matter." He pointed out that "a two-state solution may seem distant, and there are movement restrictions on Palestinians, but we will not give up before reaching peace." He stressed that "there must be a political solution for the Palestinian people, significant work has been done, and although the ground may not be ready, we must revive the negotiations, and we will not surrender; we can enhance momentum to breathe life into the peace process." He added, "We meet today in Bethlehem, which holds significant symbolism. This city is the birthplace of Christ and is in the hearts of millions of Christians; we pass through it to reach salvation, and Muslims and Jews have deep ties to these lands."
He stated that "Jerusalem is a central city for Palestinians and Israelis, for their histories and beliefs; it is a city for all who reside in it, and the sanctities and the status quo must be preserved, under Jordanian custodianship. There must be the possibility of practicing religious rituals with dignity without waiting for a peace agreement to be signed."
