Palestine says planning Arab consultations on strategy for dealing with US

RAMALLAH - A Palestinian official said Tuesday that the Palestinian Authority is preparing to hold consultations with Arab countries to develop a strategy for dealing with the current and upcoming US administrations.

"We are set to hold consultations with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab countries to develop a vision and approach for two phases," said Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary-general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, in a statement to Palestine TV.

During the first phase, until Jan 20, 2025, when US President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to be sworn in and take office, the current US administration "is expected to push strongly to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon and to recognize the Palestinian state," al-Sheikh said.

As for the second phase, when the US Republicans take power, Al-Sheikh noted, "With our Arab brothers, we seek to develop a comprehensive political approach regarding both the Gaza Strip and the future of the Palestinian cause."

"We are working on formulating a joint position to present as an Arab initiative to the United States and the international community in general," he said, hoping this could be accomplished soon.

Al-Sheikh added that the Palestinian Authority is in contact with the US administration on multiple levels.