Mahmoud Abbas turned down call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Authority chairman, turned down phone call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken six weeks ago, report says. Arutz Sheva Staff , Apr 01 , 2021 2:14 PM Mahmoud Abbas Reuters Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas refused a phone call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Kan 11 reported. According to the report, Blinken attempted to call Abbas approximately six weeks ago. Negotiations to hold a discussion had been held, but sources close to Abbas demanded that US President Joe Biden be the one...