Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is again trying to convince France to launch an international peace conference as a response to the United States’ so-called “Deal of the Century”.
His efforts came at a time when he is facing increasing pressure to take monumental decisions related to the fate of the Palestinian Authority, to declare the Palestinian State and withdraw his recognition of Israel.
Those demands appeared pressing after Washington’s systematic campaign against the Authority, reflected in its political attacks and cutting of funds to Palestinians.
Foreign Minister Riyad Maliki said on Monday that Abbas will visit France and meet with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron ahead of his trip to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly meetings and address it on September 27.
His meeting with Macron will focus on European and international response to the “Deal of the Century”, especially after its features have become clear.
His trip also aims to ask France to explain its position from convening an international peace conference as a follow up to the decisions of the Paris conference held in January of last year.
The conference failed to reach any results because it was rejected by both the US and Israel.
The ideas for the convening of the international peace conference intersect with Abbas’ vision of peace, which he announced in his address to the UN Security Council in February, said Maliki, suggesting that the talks with Macron will focus on speeding up holding such a conference and determining the countries that will participate in it.
Moreover, Abbas will discuss the possibility of implementing French parliament decisions on encouraging the French government to recognize the state of Palestine.
Malki also said Abbas will hold several meetings with world leaders and presidents on the sidelines of the General Assembly to explain his political positions and focus on the steps taken by the US administration against the Palestinian people and to demand action to protect their rights.
