Top PLO official meets US national security adviser at White House

Hussein Al Sheikh also held a meeting with Wendy Sherman, US deputy secretary of state

Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation Hussein Al Sheikh, pictured in June 2022. AP

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has met a senior official from the Palestine Liberation Organisation at the White House.

During their meeting on Tuesday, Mr Sullivan and Hussein Al Sheikh, secretary general of the Executive Committee of the PLO, discussed preserving a path towards a two-state solution and the current flare-up of violence in the West Bank.

Mr Al Sheikh's visit to Washington came after President Joe Biden's trip to Israel and the West Bank in July, when he met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem.

Mr Sullivan and Mr Al Sheikh discussed the “US interest in supporting peace and stability, preserving the path towards negotiations for two states, and advancing equal measures of security, prosperity and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike”, the National Security Council said in a statement.

The meeting comes at a sensitive time, with parts of the West Bank seeing daily clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinians in an escalation that began in March.

Mr Sullivan “stressed the need to take steps to de-escalate tension in the West Bank by countering terrorism and incitement, noted the importance of all parties refraining from unilateral actions that threaten stability, and emphasised the need to strengthen Palestinian institutions, including reinforcing commitment to non-violence”, the statement said.

While in Washington, Mr Al Sheikh also met Wendy Sherman, the deputy secretary of state.

Israeli security forces raid amid West Bank protests — in pictures

Palestinians search a house to retrieve the bodies of three Palestinians killed by Israeli troops during a raid in the West Bank city of Nablus. EPA

Palestinians inspect a building damaged during clashes with Israeli forces in Nablus. Reuters

Palestinians carry the body of Islam Sabouh. Israeli police said forces encircled the home of Ibrahim Al Nabulsi, who they say was wanted for a string of shootings in the West Bank earlier this year, and that Al Nabulsi and Sabouh were killed in a shootout. AP Photo

Palestinians evacuate the bodies of three Palestinians killed by Israeli troops. EPA

Palestinians grieve for those killed during the raid. EPA

Palestinians clash with Israeli troops. EPA

A Palestinian protester runs during clashes with Israeli security forces' vehicles. AFP

Protesters hurl rocks at Israeli security forces' vehicles. AFP

A wounded man is carried during the clashes with Israeli troops. EPA

Palestinian health officials said three people were killed and at least 40 people wounded in the gun battle. AP Photo

Smoke rises above buildings during the Israeli army operation in Nablus. AP Photo

The two discussed their commitment to a two-state solution along pre-1967 lines, “with mutually agreed land swaps and joint efforts to improve the quality of life for the Palestinian people”, the State Department said.

“They also discussed current tension in the West Bank and the urgent need to improve the security environment,” it added.

“[Ms Sherman] called on all parties to restore calm and desist from unilateral actions.”

During the recent UN General Assembly in New York, Mr Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid both said they supported a two-state solution.