Gaza: Anticipation in Palestine is growing ahead of US President Joe Biden's visit to the Middle-East next week. Palestinians hope the visit can act as a catalyst for the peace process and kick start a Palestinian-Israeli peace process. This is in contrast to the remarks made by Palestinian officials that tried to lower expectations for the visit, saying it is likely to focus on other regional matters.
Fatah spokesman Osama Al Qawasmi told Qatar News Agency that the Palestinian leadership is in contact with the White House, and expressed its hope that the visit can push forward a political process that leads to an end of the Israeli occupation. He noted that President Mahmoud Abbas called on the US administration to take meaningful steps that push towards a two-state solution, that includes having Israeli commit to ending all practices that destroy the political process, including the expansion of illegal settlements and evacuations in Al Quds.
For his part, member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Wasel Abo Youssef said he was not optimistic regarding any potential outcomes of the visit. He told QNA that the American position has always been to support the occupation's government and cover for its crimes. He added that all of the US President's remarks on the visit were on how he will support the Israeli occupation.
Palestinian citizens echoed those sentiments, Gaza's Fady Khalil said that the Palestinian people do not have the tools that would get the world to consider their case. He added that he expects the visit of the US President to be a routine one that leads to economic aid and nothing else. For his part, Islam Adnan (who lives in Rafah) said that economic aid won't let Palestinians abandon their right to establish an independent state. He also expressed his hope that the US President could get Israel to end the Gaza siege and the illegal settlements
