Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh urged the United States on Tuesday to play an active role in curbing Israeli aggression and preserving the two-state solution.
During a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf, Shtayyeh stressed the need for American pressure on Israel to enable the Palestinians to hold general elections, including in Jerusalem. He also reiterated his call for the US to recognize the Palestinian state.
The meeting came ahead of a donor conference scheduled to be held at the UN headquarters in New York. Shtayyeh and Leaf discussed ways to make the conference a success.
In a statement, the Palestinian Prime Minister’s Office said that Shtayyeh emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Palestine and the United States. He also expressed his gratitude for the US government’s support for the Palestinian people.
The statement also said that Leaf affirmed the US commitment to the two-state solution and to supporting the Palestinian people. She also expressed her hope that the donor conference would be a success.
The meeting between Shtayyeh and Leaf was the first high-level meeting between Palestinian and US officials since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021.
