Blinken calls Palestinian Authority Leader Mahmoud Abbas to Discuss Relations, Reform

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on the phone with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas on Monday.

According to a U.S. State Department readout of the call by spokesman Ned Price, the two discussed the Biden administration’s goal of strengthening America’s relationship with the P.A. and P.A. Arabs, in addition to the need to improve the quality of life for P.A. Arabs in tangible ways.

“The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas today.  They discussed the importance of strengthening the U.S. relationship with the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people, as well as the need to improve quality of life for Palestinians in tangible ways.  They also discussed the challenges facing the Palestinian Authority and the need for reform.  Secretary Blinken reiterated that Israelis and Palestinians alike deserve to live safely and securely, and enjoy equal measures of security, freedom, and prosperity, and reaffirmed the U.S. administration’s commitment to a two-state solution.”

Blinken reaffirmed the administration’s support for a two-state solution. He also emphasized that Israelis and “Palestinians” both deserve to live safely, securely and “enjoy equal measures of security, freedom and prosperity.”

Finally, he also discussed with Abbas the challenges related to P.A. leadership and its need for reform.