President on the Retention of Clearance Funds: "An Oil State Cannot Bear This, We Must Bear It"

SadaNews - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas affirmed in his speech during the eighth Fatah conference that Israel's ongoing retention of Palestinian people's funds, which has exceeded 5 billion dollars to date, represents "a blatant violation of signed agreements and international law", noting that "an oil state cannot bear this, we must bear it".

He explained that this crisis has directly affected the Palestinian government's ability to meet its financial commitments, calling for urgent international intervention to end this situation.

President Abbas also announced that preparations are underway to hold elections for the National Council next November, as well as preparations for general and presidential elections, emphasizing that this step comes within the framework of enhancing Palestinian legitimacy.

On another note, the president stressed that the State of Palestine is committed to its firm position based on respecting the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs, stating: "We do not interfere in anyone's affairs, nor does anyone interfere in ours".

President Abbas also addressed the repercussions of the October 7 attack, affirming that "our people were slaughtered, displaced, and our country was destroyed because of this act", pointing out that the occupation forces destroyed more than 85% of the cities, camps, and facilities in Gaza, and that more than 2,500 Palestinian families have been "erased from the civil registry".

He described what the Palestinian people in Gaza are facing as "an unprecedented humanitarian disaster".