Abbas Urges African Nations to Condition Relations with Israel on Ending Occupation

Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, urged African countries to condition their relations with Israel on the "end of military occupation" of Palestinians. According to reports, Mahmoud Abbas spoke on Monday, July 3, at the African leaders' summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Abbas stated that African governments should not sacrifice their relationship with Israel for the Palestinian cause. His remarks were a response to two visits last year by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to several African countries. During his last visit a few months ago, Netanyahu claimed that better relations between African countries and Israel would help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel seeks to restore its previous status in the African Union as an observer member, a status that was revoked in 2002. During Netanyahu's recent trip to Africa, several countries announced strengthening relations with Israel, and Senegal also resumed full diplomatic relations with Israel. However, on Monday, Abbas addressed the Arab League leaders, stating that Palestinians need Africa's help to free themselves from Israel's "odious occupation" and that Israel must commit to ending the occupation to have relations with Africa. Abbas added that Israel's efforts to be more active in African conferences and to design programs to approach African countries encourage the continuation of occupation and the denial of Palestinian rights to freedom and independence. He reminded that this year marks "fifty years of Israeli occupation" and that since Israel's establishment, "half of the Palestinian people have been driven from their land due to massacres committed by Israel." The Palestinian Authority President also praised African countries for standing by Palestinians in international organizations, stating, "Until the day Palestinians achieve independence, Africa is a supporter." According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, Mahmoud Abbas also said that peace between Israel and Palestinians can only be achieved through a just solution for Palestinian independence, which would be a source of good for the region, future generations, and global security and peace. Abbas mentioned that Palestinians are awaiting Israel's response to the U.S. President's initiative to resume peace talks based on the two-state solution. He described recent actions by Donald Trump and his representatives in the region as "hopeful" if they receive a positive response from Israel. Abbas stated that in that case, Palestinians would also be ready to reach a "historic peace" with Israel. Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Addis Ababa on Sunday, July 2, and has been meeting with the leaders of these countries on the sidelines of the 29th African Union summit.