The German government took note of the statement by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas about breaking off relations with the United States and Israel, Berlin still considers it necessary for the parties to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict to sit at the negotiating table, said the official representative of the Cabinet of Germany, Steffen Seibert.
Abbas said Saturday at a meeting of the Arab League that he had notified the United States and Israel of the breakdown of all relations with Palestine against the backdrop of the “deal of the century” announced by the American head Donald Trump on a Palestinian-Israeli settlement.
“We took note of reports of the reaction of the Palestinian President. Our position remains the same, and I want to emphasize once again that this position remains – we call for a return to negotiations. This is addressed to both sides”, – he said at a briefing on Monday.
He recalled that the position of Berlin lies in the need for a two-state solution to the conflict, to which the parties should come as a result of negotiations. Germany believes that only this path can lead to a sustainable and long-term peace, Seibert added.
“Regardless of the critical statements that we hear from different sides, we continue to urge all parties to boost (settle), if any, consider it as an attempt to set in motion the process (of settlement) and negotiate”, – said a cabinet representative.
Donald Trump announced on January 28 the results of the development of the “deal of the century” – a draft agreement between Israel and Palestine, which should put an end to the conflict in the region.
The plan provides for the creation of the state of Palestine and its demilitarization, while Israel will retain control of the east of the Jordan River, and Jerusalem will remain its indivisible capital. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deal also recognizes the capital of Palestine as the city of Abu Dis on the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem, “behind the fence” of the city. Abbas rejected the new plan, saying the Palestinians insisted on recognizing their state within the 1967 borders with the capital in Jerusalem.