Palestinian President Refuses Phone Call with Biden

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refused to have a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden during his visit to Israel on Wednesday, according to Israeli media reports. A Palestinian source in Ramallah said, "Biden administration officials tried to arrange a phone call between the leaders, but Abbas declined the request." However, U.S. and Palestinian Authority teams have remained in contact, despite Abbas's anger over Washington's support for Israel in its war against Hamas. Abbas also canceled a meeting that was expected to take place with the U.S. president and Arab leaders at a summit in Jordan earlier this week.