Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
U.S. President Joseph Biden spoke Saturday morning with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas separately, calling on both nations to reach a just and lasting resolution to their conflict.
During his call with the Palestinian president, Biden conveyed the U.S. commitment to strengthening the bilateral partnership.
They discussed the current tensions in Jerusalem and the West Bank and expressed their shared desire for Jerusalem to be a place of peaceful coexistence for people of all religions and backgrounds.
President Biden updated President Abbas on the U.S. diplomatic engagement on the ongoing conflict and stressed the need for Hamas to stop firing rockets into Israel.
They also expressed their shared concern that innocent civilians, including children, have tragically lost their lives amid the ongoing violence, a White House statement said.
Similarly, Biden expressed support for measures that would allow the Palestinian people to enjoy the dignity, security, freedom and economic opportunity they deserve.
In that regard, he highlighted the recent decision by the United States to resume assistance to the Palestinian people, including economic and humanitarian assistance to benefit Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
In his other conversation, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, the president reaffirmed his strong support for Israel's right to defend itself against rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza.
In this regard, he condemned these indiscriminate attacks on towns and cities throughout Israel, and updated the prime minister on high-level U.S. engagement with regional partners on this issue and discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The President noted that this current period of conflict has tragically claimed the lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children. He expressed concern for the safety of journalists and reinforced the need to ensure their protection.
Biden shared his deep concern about inter-communal violence in Israel and welcomed statements by the prime minister and other leaders opposing such acts of hatred and encouraged further action to hold violent extremists accountable and restore calm.
At the time, they spoke of the current tensions in Jerusalem and expressed their shared desire for Jerusalem to be a place of peaceful coexistence for people of all religions and backgrounds.
Finally, the president expressed concern about the violent clashes in the West Bank and expressed support for measures to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy the dignity, security, freedom and economic opportunity they deserve and affirmed his support for a two-state solution.
The leaders agreed to continue close consultation between their teams and to stay in touch in the coming days.
