Speaking to the Palestinian parliament in Gaza on Tuesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) called for contiguity of Palestinian territory following the withdrawal of Israeli occupation troops slated to take place on August 17. Abbas referenced the 1993 Declaration of Principals which stated that both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are to be considered a single territorial unit.
The Palestinian president also called for restraint and calm on the part of the Palestinians during the upcoming withdrawal, stressing that doing so would benefit the Palestinians in the long run.
"It is a requirement to ensure that the withdrawal will take place in a civilized manner so that we can show the world we deserve our freedom and independence," he told lawmakers. Abbas also called on Palestinians to abstain from looting in former Jewish settlements.
Abbas went on to say that parliamentary elections would be held this coming January in an effort to meet international demands for reform in the Palestinian Authority. He also asserted his intentions to continue to fight corruption within his ranks.
Parliamentary elections had previously been postponed due to disputes over Palestinian electoral laws.
