Abbas to Putin: West Bank poised for ‘explosion’

Israeli policies risk triggering an “explosion” in the West Bank, Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas says in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Palestinian state media.

The Palestinian leader tells Putin that Israeli settlements, land confiscation, home demolitions and “settler terrorism” are among factors leading to anger in the West Bank, the official Wafa news agency says.

“The continuation of these Israeli measures will lead to an explosion of the situation,” Wafa says Abbas told Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) shakes hands with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, on February 12, 2018. (AFP Photo/Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentiev)

Abbas speaks with Putin two days after meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz at his home. It was the first official visit to Israel by Abbas since 2010. Months earlier, Gantz had visited Abbas in Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority.

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