Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki has said that the government was in contact with Washington over a possible return to negotiations with Israel in line with the international law.

 

 

In a speech at the Mediterranean Dialogues Forum on Thursday night, Malki said, “We, in the Palestinian Authority, are ready to reengage completely, with Israel, in renewing negotiations with no preconditions, as long as such renewal is based on already recognized terms of reference - meaning UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and international law.”

 

 

The Foreign Minister said the PA has conveyed a message in this spirit to President-elect Joe Biden’s team.

 

 

“Right now, we are sending clear messages, not only to the Israelis and to the Biden administration, but also to the Europeans and many others,” he said.

 

 

However, Malki stressed he was cautiously optimistic about Biden’s presidency.

 

 

“We know that Biden’s administration is likely to focus on internal rather than foreign issues and that the Palestinian cause is unlikely to be a top priority. But, we will spare no effort to change the situation in this region to restore stability and hope,” he said.

 

 

The Foreign Minister revealed that the PA has called for a phone conversation between President Mahmoud Abbas and Biden. “We have asked for a specific date and time for such a phone call to take place,” Maliki said.

 

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the President-elect last week, and confirmed the special relations between his country and the US.