VP Harris to Mahmoud Abbas: US supports Palestinian self-determination
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Concerning the Occupied West Bank, which is also governed by the PA, Harris claims that the US was worried about escalating tensions including "extremist settler violence."
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Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the COP28 UN Climate Summit, Saturday, December 2, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP)
The White House has released a statement on behalf of Vice President Kamala Harris after she convened with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the situation in Gaza and issues related to PA governance after the end of the war.
Following Harris's departure from Dubai on Sunday from the COP28 summit, the statement read, "The Vice President reiterated US support for the Palestinian people and their right to security, dignity and self-determination. She underscored our commitment to a two-state solution and said that the Palestinian people must have a clear political horizon".
Harris specifically spoke of a common Palestinian governance after the end of the war having "reiterated US support for a unified West Bank and Gaza under a revitalized Palestinian Authority."
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West Bank settler violence
Concerning the Occupied West Bank, which is also governed by the PA, Harris stated that the US was worried about escalating tensions including "extremist settler violence."
The violence in the West Bank, reaching a more-than-15-year high this year, intensified further after "Israel" launched a new war in Gaza on October 7.
This follows the Biden administration relaying to "Israel" that it will enforce visa bans within the next few weeks on Israeli extremist settlers involved in violence against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank.
Harris added that her National Security Advisor Phil Gordon intends to visit "Israel" and the Occupied West Bank this week for more discussions.
Gaza without Hamas
Earlier last month, Abbas affirmed that the Palestinian Authority is ready to assume responsibility for the Gaza Strip within the framework of a comprehensive political solution.
Numerous Western governments have spoken since the start of the war on the need for an international presence in Gaza, especially after the war.
French President Emmanuel Macron said last month that "France is ready for the international coalition against ISIS in which we are taking part in operations in Iraq and Syria to also fight against Hamas."
Without mentioning a single Israeli massacre or war crime, he did add that the fight should be "without mercy but not without rules."
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated last month as well that Hamas “can’t be the future of governance in Gaza,” and when asked about the next steps for Gaza, he claimed officials “don’t have all the answers to that,” and insisted “Whatever it is – it can’t be Hamas.”
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In response, Hamas top official Osama Hamdan welcomed all efforts and initiatives to end the aggression and siege on Gaza, rejecting any calls for the participation of foreign forces in the administration of Gaza.
Addressing all those discussing the situation in Gaza after the Israeli occupation's aggression ends, Hamdan told them to "save your time, effort, and aspirations; Gaza will remain Palestinian, resilient, and proud, repelling all of its invaders."
He went on to hold the United States responsible for the crimes committed against the people of Gaza, saying it is on par with the Israeli occupation in terms of culpability.
