Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told reporters that US Middle East envoy George Mitchell held talks here with Abbas during which the Palestinian president called on the US to help end the three-year Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza.
"In his talks with Mitchell, President Abbas focused on the basic points, mainly meeting the basic needs of the Gaza Strip population and to stop using these needs as swords directed at our people's necks," Erekat said.
"For President Abbas, the blockade is a collective punishment and there is no justification for it. There are six commercial crossing points at Gaza Strip’s borders all of which should be reopened," Erekat said.
Abbas also told Mitchell that within the first three months of 2007, around 36,000 trucks loaded with products and goods entered the Gaza Strip, while in the last three months of this year, only 3,600 trucks were allowed in.
He said easing the blockade is not enough. “President Abbas wants a 100 percent end of the blockade." On Thursday, the government of hawkish Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu put more items on the list of goods that would be allowed into the Gaza Strip.
Erekat also said that Abbas and Mitchell agreed to continue talks with the US administration, adding that "there are contacts also with the European Union on this issue."
Abbas discussed with Mitchell the recent Israeli decision to build 1,600 units in the settlement of Ramat Shalom in East Jerusalem. According to Erekat, Mitchell reiterated the US commitment to the Palestinians that there will be no construction in settlements.
