Bethlehem - "Jerusalem" dot com - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his American counterpart, Joe Biden , affirmed the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on the borders of June 4, 1967.

This came during a joint conference between them at the presidential headquarters in Bethlehem, after a meeting that lasted about an hour, in which they discussed many bilateral and other issues.

President Abbas said during the conference, we discussed ways to support bilateral relations and review what Washington can contribute to creating an atmosphere that achieves a just peace, indicating that he assured Biden of his vision of a two-state solution based on international legitimacy.

Abbas asked Biden, saying: After 74 years of catastrophe, displacement and occupation, is it not time for this occupation to end, stressing that the key to peace in the region is the recognition of the State of Palestine and enabling the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights.

Abbas stressed the necessity of resolving permanent status issues, including the issue of refugees, and the way to do so begins with the end of the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the 67 borders, as he said.

Abbas called on Biden to work to reopen the US consulate in East Jerusalem and remove the PLO from the terrorist list, pointing to the Palestinian Authority's readiness to work within the framework of partnership and cooperation in order to remove any obstacles to achieve this, especially in light of respecting the legitimate agreements and rejecting "terrorism" and combating it.

He also called on Biden to work to end the occupation and racial discrimination, stop settlement activity and settler violence, and unilateral actions that undermine the two-state solution.

Abbas demanded that the killers of the martyr Sherine Abu Aqle be held accountable, and work to stop the killing, the daily arrests, and the violation of Islamic and Christian sanctities.

He said, "Continued escalation means losing hope... If Israel wants to be a normal state, it cannot continue to act as a state above the law, and this requires that Israel end its occupation of the land of the State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital on the 67 borders."

He added: "Only Israel can be accepted in peace and good neighborliness with the countries and peoples of the region based on the Arab peace initiative."

And he continued: The opportunity for a two-state solution based on the year 1967 may be available only today, and we do not know what might happen in the future. I take the opportunity of your visit to say: I extend my hand to the leaders of Israel to make peace for the brave. For the future of our peoples and the region.

President Abbas concluded: We have confidence in you and your administration, and we are ready to work with you hand in hand in order to achieve a comprehensive and just peace based on international legitimacy, the Arab peace initiative and the agreements signed between us and Israel. Peace begins here, in Palestine and Jerusalem.

For his part, Joe Biden said, as President of the United States, my commitment to the goal of achieving the two-state solution has not changed, by establishing a Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, which is the best way to reach a secure and just solution.

Biden added: There must be two states for two peoples living side by side in safety and peace.. Every people must live in dignity, and the goal of the two-state solution is elusive because there are restrictions on movement and other restrictions imposed on the Palestinians.

And that his administration will not surrender and will continue its efforts for peace, although there is no ground ready to launch negotiations now.

Biden indicated that his administration would do its part to support an independent investigation into the murder of Sherine Abu Aqelah, noting that she was killed while she was playing her role in an independent media, and that he would seek to uncover the truth about her death.

He emphasized that Jerusalem is central to the Palestinian and Israeli vision, to be a city for everyone who lives in it, and Jordan's continued tutelage over it as an essential matter.

Biden called on the Palestinian Authority to play a key role in strengthening institutions, transparency, accountability and combating corruption in order to reach a democratic state, noting that his administration is concerned with improving the living conditions of the population and therefore has allocated more than half a billion dollars since 2021 for the benefit of the Palestinians.

He announced the provision of an additional $200 million in funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees "UNRWA" to continue its crucial role in helping the Palestinians.

Biden said: We are communicating with Israel to promote Palestinian economic growth and improve freedom of movement and the entry of goods.. I hope that this visit will be the beginning of hope for a Palestinian-Israeli dialogue.

Biden arrived in a large convoy to Bethlehem from its entrance decorated with a picture of fellow journalist Sherine Abu Aqleh, who was killed by the occupation army last May, while the streets and entrance to the presidential residence and the Church of the Nativity that Biden will visit were decorated with pictures of Abu Aqleh, on which was written "Justice for Sherine." .

Upon his arrival at the presidential residence, President Abbas shook hands with Biden and they spoke for a minute together, before the Palestinian and American anthems were played.

Two children, wearing the traditional Palestinian dress and keffiyeh, presented roses to US President Joe Biden.

US official sources said that the meeting between Biden and Abbas touched on the issue of church lands in Jerusalem, which Israel intended to confiscate.

And she added: Biden is clear about his vision of a two-state solution, and when the two sides are ready to negotiate, he will work to bring them together.

Biden's arrival coincided with a peaceful protest by Palestinian activists near the presidential residence and the Church of the Nativity, and they raised the Palestinian flag and pictures of journalist Abu Aqelah.