Dr. Erekat on the 44 years of Israeli occupation “If the members of international community are serious about the two-state solution they must, at the very least, recognize the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders”

Ramallah:- Marking the 44th anniversary of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, member of the PLO Executive Committee and Chief Palestinian Negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat called on the international community to take the needed steps to put an end to the prolonged Israeli occupation, starting with the recognition of a Palestinian State on the 1967 borders as well as supporting the admission of Palestine as member state in the United Nations.

“We are marking 44 years of settlement-colony expansion. Israel’s illegal and discriminatory policies have led to the displacement and dispossession of our people, and are aimed at making the establishment of a Palestinian state impossible. Dr. Erekat added that “if the members of international community are serious about the two-state solution they must, at the very least, recognize the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders. This will send a clear message to Israel that in the 21st century, borders are determined by international law and not by settlement colonies that are built on land that was acquired by force.”

Dr. Erekat explained that “while it is true that Israel’s policies are threatening the very possibility of the two-state solution, its efforts to undermine the rights of the Palestinian people have failed. In the face of nearly 50 years of unrelenting efforts by Israel to change the geography and demography of our land, we are still here, struggling peacefully for justice, equality, and freedom.”

“Rather than urging the parties to negotiate, the international community should address the reasons for the failure of past talks, namely Israel’s decision to choose settlement expansion over peace,” urged Dr. Erekat. “How can we negotiate over core issues like borders and territory while Israel continues to steal our land?” 

Dr. Erekat concluded: “When the Palestinians were divided, Israel used our division as an excuse not to negotiate. Now that we are united, Israel is using our unity as a reason not to negotiate. We will not allow our aspirations to be held hostage by Israel’s intransigence. And so we will continue our diplomatic effort to gain international recognition for our state on the 1967 borders. We will use every peaceful means available to us to achieve our rights. We hope to see the fruits of our labor this September with the admission into the UN of the State of Palestine.”