Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited the city of Jenin and its refugee camps in the northern West Bank today, Wednesday, to assess the destruction caused by Israeli forces and to monitor the reconstruction efforts in the city. He was welcomed by Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and several state leaders upon his arrival, alongside Jenin Governor Akram Al-Rujoub, security leaders, and representatives from official and community organizations.
Abbas proceeded to the Jenin Martyrs Cemetery to lay a wreath on their graves, accompanied by Hussein Al-Sheikh, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Majed Faraj, head of the Palestinian General Intelligence Service, and his diplomatic advisor, Majdi Khalidi.
After touring the neighborhoods of Jenin, Abbas stated, "The Jenin camp, the hero, is an icon of struggle, steadfastness, and challenge." In a speech delivered to the large crowd that gathered to welcome him in the Jenin camp, he said, "We came today to follow up on the rebuilding of the camp and the city, to restore them to what they were and even better."
He continued: "We will not forget the camps of Nablus, the Fire Mountain, and all the camps of our homeland, nor will we forget Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the State of Palestine."
Abbas emphasized, "We will remain steadfast in our land; we will not leave, and we will not accept aggression from anyone. We will remain patient until God inherits the earth and those on it."
He concluded: "We came to declare that we are one authority, one state, one law, and one security and stability. We will cut off the hand that dares to disrupt our people's unity and security. Everyone works for unity and to enhance our people's steadfastness on their land, until we liberate our entire homeland and build our independent state with Jerusalem as its capital, so that this homeland is open to all and 14 million Palestinians can return to it."