Palestinian Authority President Abbas to meet Macron in Paris next week

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris next week focusing on the “peace process” and elections, the PA’s foreign ministry says.

Abbas, who is due to meet Macron on July 20, will also discuss “putting pressure on Israel to provide the appropriate atmosphere for holding the Palestinian elections, specifically in the city of Jerusalem,” a statement reads.

Direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians have not been held since 2014.

Palestinian elections scheduled for last year were canceled, with Abbas citing Israel’s refusal to allow them to take place in the annexed East Jerusalem.

The announcement comes after PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki met his French counterpart Catherine Colonna.

Last week, Prime Minister Yair Lapid headed to Paris for his first foreign trip as leader to meet Macron, who said there was “no alternative to a resumption of political dialogue between the Israelis and the Palestinians.”

Abbas is scheduled to meet tomorrow with US President Joe Biden in Bethlehem in the West Bank.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.