I am optimistic and I expect that we will reach an overall agreement with everybody for a complete cease-fire in all the territories,

The Israelis say: ‘OK, we’ll impose a unilateral solution’ – which means that they will postpone, delay the struggle and they will not solve the problem.

But it will not bring you peace.

[Abbas laid the cornerstone for a new Arafat memorial, even as he acknowledged that his predecessor had no wish for a grandiose building.] He had no dreams of having a palace in Palestine but only...

He clarified to me that there would be no official relations with Israel before the establishment of a Palestinian state. I could not say no, so I said to him, ‘As long as it will...

no one would have the right to cancel any of the issues that the Israelis and the Palestinians would negotiate to find a final permanent solution for all these issues.

Any Israeli government must cooperate with us and must not ignore the Palestinian side.

We should let them go peacefully in order not to give them any reason to delay the evacuation.

Those who perpetrated such acts intend to sabotage what we are doing and prejudice us,

lowest level in four years.

[He said the United States recently sent a general to the region] to help the Palestinians have an effective security force … is desirous of developing a state that would live side by side with...

could widen the cycle of violence, chaos, extremism and bloodshed.

It’s important to see action,

We will tell our Turkish brothers what is happening in the Palestinian territories.

We look with great worry on what might happen if (Sharon) is impaired.

it is against our interests and it only increases the violence in this region.

[In a visit to a Gaza City school at the start of the new school year Saturday, Abbas said the withdrawal will improve daily life.] God willing, the people will live in peace and security,...

It is time to impose the authority of law and order. These events … harm our international credibility and strengthen Israel ‘s pretext to undermine peace and stop withdrawals.

We have not and will not accept any questioning of the accords’ legitimacy. Indeed, from the hour they were endorsed, they became a political reality to which we remain committed.

Our efforts are not aimed at isolating Israel or de-legitimizing it; rather we want to gain legitimacy for the cause of the people of Palestine. We only aim to de-legitimize the settlement activities and the...

We are coming into a new phase. In this phase, we are calling for the international community to help us return to the negotiating table with the Israelis, conclude the peace process and implement it.

until Israel withdraws completely and the Palestinian state is established.

We will put the final touches on the opening of the crossing [Monday],

We have taken active steps in imposing the rule of law and public order and ban armed demonstrations,

Jerusalem should be and will be at the forefront of any agreement. Jerusalem is the No. 1 issue for the Arabs and the Muslims,

We have to understand that we must not give Israel the excuse to hit back.

Voting is the right of every citizen. It’s a national obligation because the results of the election should reflect a truthful expression of all Palestinians.

I tell you, frankly, we have a historical opportunity that hinges on our good performance. Today there is no room for personal agendas,

President Mahmud Abbas on Friday November 11, 2005 laid the foundation stone of the mausoleum of the late president Yasser Arafat,

We discussed the serious security situation between us and Israel,

I say: The time has come for my courageous and proud people, after decades of displacement and colonial occupation and ceaseless suffering, to live like other peoples of the earth, free in a sovereign and...

We repeat our denunciation and renunciation of terrorism against the Israelis wherever they might be.

One day a Palestinian boy and a girl will lift the Palestinian flag on Jerusalem’s mosques and churches,

We have agreed with Prime Minister Sharon to cease all violence against the Israelis and against the Palestinians, wherever they are,

We are going to work with the Egyptians to plug the breaches in the barrier along the border … within two or three days, and to return order in this sector,

But I want it to start operating again quickly. It should not become a playground.

There have been some mistakes due to the feeling of joy,

These are days of glory,

What I am doing is not celebration,

My convictions are important, as well as the work. If I can do something then I will continue, otherwise I won’t.

As for the relations and contacts with Israelis, we are totally certain that they are going to start again very quickly because there are many issues we must take up with the Israelis.

The Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip will be good for all students. There will be no more obstacles, no more checkpoints,

If Mr. Sharon is facing internal problems, then I say he cannot solve one problem by creating another, … It was the correct decision to withdraw from Gaza, and this is a good thing, and...

serious and tangible action against terrorism.

Any aggression against our foreign guests represents a challenge to the rule of law and we will not permit it.

playing into the hands of the occupation.

The EU is a big donor to the Palestinian people.

[Hailing the days of Israeli pullout as] historic days of joy … we want on this occasion to pay homage to our martyrs, to our prisoners, to our wounded and all those among our people...

We all agree that Jerusalem should be included in the elections. If it is not included, all the factions agree there should be no elections.

There won’t be a meeting on October 2, … We said ‘no’. Why? Because if we want a successful meeting, then we should prepare for it.