Abbas promises PA will reform, to draft an 'interim constitution'

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced that his government is prepared to lead future state in both the West Bank and Gaza.Speaking shortly after Macron, Abbas reiterated his condemnation of Hamas’s October 7 attack along with his calls for the terror group to release all remaining hostages, disarm and step down from power in Gaza. Abbas addressed the session virtually after the US issued widespread visa bans against the PA’s leadership in retaliation for the Western plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the conference.The “comprehensive reform agenda” will promote good governance, transparency, the rule of law and see reforms of the PA’s financial system and education systems. The latter reform will be in line with UNESCO standards and be achieved within two years, Abbas stated.
Abbas also pledged to draft an “interim constitution” within three months to ensure that all parties participating in elections adhere to the Palestine Liberation Organization’s charter, which includes recognition of Israel. He said Ramallah’s goal is to establish a democratic state based on the rule of law, pluralism, power-sharing, equality, justice and empowerment of women and youth.Abbas made an effort to appeal directly to Israelis and Jews around the world, noting that the PA already recognized Israel’s right to exist in 1988 and 1993 and continues to do so today.
The United States joined Jerusalem in boycotting the conference. Both the US and Israel have argued that recognition of a Palestinian state at this time amounts to a reward for Hamas that won’t advance efforts to release the 48 remaining hostages and end the war in Gaza, but could well harm those goals.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hit out at the “disappointing” US decision during Abbas's speech at the conference. Expressing his support for the conference’s goal, Guterres asserted, “Statehood for Palestinians is a right, not a reward.”