Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas sent a letter to President Donald Trump praising his successful efforts in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran and expressing renewed commitment to pursuing a full peace agreement with Israel.
In his message, Abbas emphasized that the truce between Iran and Israel marks a key moment in efforts to ease broader tensions in the region.
The Palestinian leader also extended his appreciation to Trump for what he described as the president’s “courageous” recent appeals to bring an end to the fighting in Gaza.
“This constitutes an additional step in [your] important efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace between us, the Israelis, and the entire world,” Abbas writes.
According to the letter, Abbas confirmed his administration’s eagerness to resume serious negotiations with Trump and regional partners to reach a peace accord under a defined schedule aimed at resolving the conflict and creating long-term security for both sides.
The letter states Abbas “reiterated our full readiness to work closely with [Trump] and relevant Arab and international parties to immediately negotiate and implement a comprehensive peace agreement within a clear and binding timeframe that ends the occupation and achieves security and stability for all, a just and lasting peace.”
He went on to convey optimism that with Trump’s involvement, long-standing obstacles could be overcome.
“With you, we can achieve what seemed impossible: a recognized, free, sovereign and secure Palestine, a recognized and secure Israel, and a region that enjoys peace, prosperity and integration,” Abbas tells Trump.
In recent months, Abbas has made a concerted effort to build rapport with the Trump administration. He issued a decree ending a deeply criticized policy that had provided payments to the families of Palestinian prisoners and those killed in attacks, with benefits tied to the length of their sentences.
Abbas has also denounced Hamas repeatedly and has been calling for the hostages to be freed. Earlier this month, he issued his first public condemnation of Hamas’s October 7 assault.
Despite these gestures, U.S. engagement with the Palestinian leadership has been minimal. Contacts between Washington and Ramallah have remained limited, with U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler instead focusing on direct talks with Hamas earlier this year to help free American captives. Trump has not spoken with Abbas since their phone call in November, when the PA leader congratulated him on winning the election.
{Matzav.com}