US officials fired back on Saturday after a conversation between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Russian President Vladimir Putin in which Abbas told Putin he did not trust the United States or the Biden administration.
The White House is said to be “deeply disappointed” by Abbas’ remarks, a spokesman for the US National Security Council said.
During an international summit in Kazakhstan, Abbas told Putin that Palestine itself is distrustful of the United States and that the country cannot act as a mediator between Palestine and Israel. “Under no circumstances can we accept that America is the only side in solving the problem,” Abbas added.
In a statement, the NSC said: “For decades, President Biden … has demonstrated the commitment of the United States to finding creative solutions and working towards lasting peace … throughout the Middle East.”
Sources reportedly told Axios that senior officials in the Bidden administration were “furious” and made their anger clear to Abbas’ advisers.
As well as criticizing the US, Abbas also praised Putin for Russia’s support for Palestine, claiming he was “happy and satisfied”. He also spoke of Russia’s commitment to “justice and international law” even as the country continues its months-long invasion of Ukraine.
The NSC replied: “Russia does NOT stand for justice and international law, as evidenced by the latest vote in the UN General Assembly.”
This U.S.-Palestinian standoff comes just weeks after senior Palestinian officials hosted Washington, D.C., for a meeting that U.S. officials told The Times of Israel was largely positive.
