Exiled Palestinian pose for a photo in Gaza City. (MaanImages/File)
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A group of Palestinians exiled to the Gaza Strip after the siege on Bethlehem's Nativity Church called on Sunday for President Mahmoud Abbas to put their return as a condition for meeting with Israeli deputy premier Shaul Mofaz.
On May 10, 2002, Israeli forces ended a 39-day siege on the church after striking a deal with Palestinian leaders to send 39 people given sanctuary in the church to Gaza and Europe.
Spokesman of the deportees Fahmi Kanan said Abbas should end their exile by insisting Israel allows their return in exchange for meeting Mofaz next month.
Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaineh told Ma'an earlier Sunday that Abbas is ready to meet with any Israeli official, and the planned meeting with Mofaz does not entail a return to negotiations.
However, the president will only meet with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu if Israel agrees to freeseriously ill prisoners, and those detained prior to the Oslo accords, as well as releasing security equipment purchased for the Palestinian Authority, Abu Rudaineh said.
Kanan stressed that the exiles are suffering greatly as Israeli authorities have prevented their families from traveling to visit them.
On May 10, 2002, Israeli forces ended a 39-day siege on the church after striking a deal with Palestinian leaders to send 39 people given sanctuary in the church to Gaza and Europe.
Spokesman of the deportees Fahmi Kanan said Abbas should end their exile by insisting Israel allows their return in exchange for meeting Mofaz next month.
Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaineh told Ma'an earlier Sunday that Abbas is ready to meet with any Israeli official, and the planned meeting with Mofaz does not entail a return to negotiations.
However, the president will only meet with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu if Israel agrees to freeseriously ill prisoners, and those detained prior to the Oslo accords, as well as releasing security equipment purchased for the Palestinian Authority, Abu Rudaineh said.
Kanan stressed that the exiles are suffering greatly as Israeli authorities have prevented their families from traveling to visit them.
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