(JNS) The Palestinian Authority decided to hold elections because P.A. leader Mahmoud Abbas is laying the groundwork for renewing negotiations with Israel and the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has reported.

According to the report, the aim of such talks—that would include the Middle East Quartet, made up of the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia—is to extricate the P.A. both from its economic crisis and isolation.

Citing reports in the Arab and Palestinian press, MEMRI states that the Biden administration recently demanded that the P.A. clarify whether, after its elections, there will be a government in Ramallah that recognizes Israel, puts an end to violence and honors past agreements.