CAIRO, 17 February, 2021, (TON): Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Aboul-Gheit and the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, discussed the latest political developments in Palestinian cause.

According to the statement by AL, Aboul-Gheit and the new UN envoy exchanged views during a phone conversation on the recent developments in Palestine and Israel in light of the major upcoming elections in next month.

Legislative elections in Palestine are to be held on May 22^nd, followed by presidential elections on July 31^st, while Israel will hold parliamentary elections on March 23^rd.

The Arab League chief Aboul-Gheit briefed the UN official on the outcomes of the recent meeting of Arab foreign ministers and affirmed that the Arab foreign ministers meeting has renewed Arab consensus on the determinants of the peace process and the two-state solution.

During their emergency meeting on February 8th, the Arab foreign ministers affirmed that the Palestinian issue is central to all Arab countries, while expressing their support to the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

Meanwhile, Aboul Gheit highlighted the importance of the recent Palestinian reconciliation talks in Cairo, and the agreement to hold elections, pointing out that this path is fully supported by the Arab League.

He noted that achieving national reconciliation and renewing Palestinian legitimacy will strengthen the Palestinian stance in any future peace negotiations with Israel.

The AL chief also appreciated the UN envoy's condemnation of the Israeli settlement expansion which he said will eliminate the chance of achieving a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The AL Secretary-General praised Wennesland's condemnations of the Israeli settlement expansion that destroys the chances of achieving a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the world’s longest-running and most controversial conflicts. Israel’s Occupation of the Palestinian Territory (OPT) has permeated into every facet of everyday life for the 4.8 million Palestinians living in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza. The burden of the conflict and the ongoing occupation are causing debilitating hardship for Palestinians.