Palestinian official media describes ‘warm’ call between Abbas, Trump
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump held a “warm and general” call with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Friday, a Palestinian official told Axios, which reported that the two last spoke in 2017.
President Donald Trump and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas shake hands as they meet, May 3, 2017, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. Credit: Shealah Craighead/White House.
Abbas “extended his congratulations to President-elect Trump, wishing him success in his upcoming term in office,” according to Wafa, which is aligned with the Palestinian Authority. “The Palestinian leader expressed his hope that Trump would lead the United States towards further progress and prosperity.”
The Palestinian leader “also reaffirmed his readiness to work with President Trump in pursuit of a just and comprehensive peace, based on international legitimacy and principles,” per Wafa. “In response, President Trump emphasized his commitment to stop the war and reiterated his willingness to collaborate with President Abbas, as well as other regional and global stakeholders, in efforts to achieve peace in the region.”
In July, Trump stated that Abbas had sent him a letter condemning the assassination attempt against him. According to the post, Abbas wrote that “acts of violence must not have a place in a world of law and order. Respect for the other with tolerance and valuing of human life is what must prevail.”
Trump posted an image that he hand wrote, on Abbas’s letter, stating, “Mahmoud, So nice. Thank you. Everything will be good. Best wishes, Donald Trump.”
JNS
