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Abbas: Israel should resume stalled peace talks

STORY: Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas praised Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid for his public support of a two-state solution, but demanded Israelis demonstrate their commitment by immediately resuming long-stalled peace talks.

His words come a day after Lapid became the first Israeli leader in years to back a two-state solution from the podium of the United Nations.

“In agreement with the Palestinians, based on the two states for two people, is the right thing for Israel's security, for Israel's economy, and for the future of our children. Peace is not a compromise. It is the most courageous decision we can make."

Lapid’s mention of a two-state formula echoed U.S. President Joe Biden's support for the long-dormant proposal.

Israel captured East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza – areas that Palestinians seek for an independent state – in the 1967 Middle East war.

U.S.-sponsored Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in 2014.

Palestinians and rights groups say Israel has entrenched its control of the occupied Palestinian territories through its military rule over millions of Palestinians and persistent settlement construction.

Most countries deem Israel's West Bank settlements illegal. Israel disputes that, describing the territory as a biblical birthright and defensive bulwark.

Abbas said that while Western governments have supported the two-state formula, they effectively blocked it from happening by failing to recognize Palestine as a state and by shielding Israel from accountability.

A true test to the credibility of this stance, Abbas said at the UN, is for Israel to "return to the negotiation table immediately".

He asked the United Nations to recognize full state membership for Palestine and lay out a plan to end Israel's occupation.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES / BEIT EIL/ HEBRON/ BETHLEHEM, JALAME CHEKPOINT, JENIN, NEAR JENIN, WEST BANK/ RAMAT HASHARON, ISRAEL, MAALE ADUMIM SETTLEMENT, NOFEI NEHEMIA JEWISH OUTPOST AND JORDAN VALLEY, WEST BANK / GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / LONDON, ONTARIO, CANADA / ISRAEL-GAZA BORDER AREA, ISRAEL / GAZA CITY, GAZA