Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has firmly reiterated that Palestine is “not for sale” and rejected any proposals aimed at the displacement of the Palestinian people.
Speaking at the opening session of Fatah’s Central Committee meeting in Ramallah, Abbas emphasized that no part of Palestinian territory—including Gaza, the West Bank, or Jerusalem—would be relinquished. His remarks followed his participation in the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, where he reaffirmed Palestine’s steadfast stance on the matter.
He underscored the importance of adhering to international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative as the foundation for any political resolution to the Palestinian cause. The 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, adopted at the Arab League Summit in Beirut, calls for a recognized Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in exchange for Arab states normalizing relations with Israel.
Abbas also welcomed statements by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, who, during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reaffirmed his country’s opposition to any displacement of Palestinians and insisted that Gaza’s reconstruction should be linked to a path leading to comprehensive peace.
Fatah’s Central Committee also rejected any plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza or any other occupied territories, stressing that such initiatives violate international law and will face global opposition. The committee lauded the positions of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab nations for their stance against the displacement of Palestinians.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested resettling Gaza’s population and redeveloping the enclave into what he called the “Riviera of the Middle East.” This proposal has been widely condemned as a form of ethnic cleansing.
A ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza took effect on January 19, temporarily halting Israel’s devastating war that has killed nearly 48,300 Palestinians and left Gaza in ruins. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
