On the sidelines of the "Jerusalem Declaration" signed, President Biden reaffirmed his support for a two-state solution.
The Palestinians take solace in the fact that at least their official position regarding the resolution of the conflict has been mentioned in the declaration, yet they carry with them a heavy sense of distress.
The subject, which for them is supposed to be at the top of the agenda, is casually inserted into the memorandum, without being given a "place of honor."
A Palestinian source told Israel Today that the Palestinian leadership was shocked by the nickname given to the memorandum of understanding between Israel and the United States. "Why did they choose to call it the 'Jerusalem Declaration'?
There is a problem here, as if Biden recognizes Jerusalem as the united capital of Israel and does not recognize East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state.
This is a serious matter.
The second thing is that the statement is only about an American commitment to the idea of two states, without mentioning a similar commitment from your Prime Minister Lapid.
That's the main issue. "
The source added: "We welcome the position of the American president, but if there are real intentions behind the statement, we should have worked on this visit to formulate an agreement on a general roadmap for the implementation of the two-state solution."
Lapid and Baidan sign the Jerusalem Declaration, Photo: Emil-Salman
In Ramallah, it is said that the "Jerusalem Declaration" and what accompanies it hurt the general mood and contribute to clouding the atmosphere leading up to the Abu Mazen-Biden meeting.
"There is a decision by Abu Mazen not to go public against Israel and the United States, but after the statement yesterday, he feels that the Israelis stabbed him in the back.
What is left to talk about today in the meeting after all this? "
Biden in East Jerusalem
Accompanied by his entourage and without Israeli representatives, this morning President Biden will visit Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem, and hold a joint meeting with the directors of the six Palestinian hospitals in the city.
The US president will announce that the US will transfer aid funds to support medical and humanitarian services, which may contribute greatly to reducing the deficit in which hospitals are immersed due to cumulative debts from the Palestinian Authority.
US: "We will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons - we will use all elements of national power to ensure this" // Photo: Reuters
Biden will then arrive in Bethlehem, and the Palestinian police are preparing with increased forces to secure the presidential visit.
1,500 police officers will be deployed on the city streets, in addition to other units of the Palestinian security services, saboteurs and emergency and rescue teams.
Posters by al-Jazeera journalist Sheerin Abu Akla, who was killed in Jenin, hung on the walls of an extension, in the background of a request from her family members to meet with the American president.
The meeting between the two leaders will take place at the "Conference Palace" and will last 45 minutes.
According to Palestinian sources, Abu Mazen will explain to his interlocutor the importance of the political horizon and ask him to work with Israel "to stop escalation and unilateral measures, including settlement construction, and settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank."
Photo of Sheerin Abu Akala in Bethlehem, Photo: IPI
Abu Mazen arrived in Bethlehem yesterday to prepare for the reception, with calls in Ramallah in the background to cancel the meeting with Biden following the "Jerusalem Declaration."
The organizations in Gaza condemned the statement, and Hamas said that "this is a reaffirmation of America's biased policy toward Israel."
If there are no last-minute surprises, there will likely be no joint announcement at the end of the meeting, and the two will carry separate statements.
Biden's next stop will be Saudi Arabia, the main destination of his visit to the region.
On the topic: a reboot of his relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, halting rising oil prices and regional cooperation.
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