Abbas Tells Putin: West Bank Poised for ‘Explosion’ of Violence

By i24
Posted on 12/30/21 | News Source: i24

Abbas spoke with Putin two days after meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz

Israeli policies risk triggering an "explosion" in the West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said Thursday in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Palestinian media said. 

The Palestinian leader told his Russian counterpart that Israeli settlements, home demolitions and "settler terrorism" were among factors building up anger and resentment among Palestinians in the West Bank, the official Wafa news agency said. 

"The continuation of these Israeli measures will lead to an explosion of the situation," Wafa said Abbas told Putin. 

Russia is a member of the Middle East Quartet of international mediators, along with the United Nations, the United States and European Union.

Abbas spoke with Putin two days after meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz at his home. 

It was the first official visit to Israel by Abbas since 2010. Months earlier, Gantz had visited Abbas in Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority.