Readout of the President’s Call with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority

The President spoke with Palestinian Authority President Abbas today.  The President expressed strong support for President Abbas’s leadership on behalf of the Palestinian people and his commitment to peace.  The President noted the positive momentum generated by the recent improvements on the ground in Gaza and in the West Bank, the restraint shown by both sides in recent months, and progress in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian proximity talks.  He and President Abbas reviewed ways to advance to direct talks in the near term, in order to reach an agreement that ends the conflict, and establishes an independent and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel.  The President noted that Special Envoy Mitchell would travel to the region soon and meet with President Abbas to build on this momentum to advance our common goals.