Dr. Erekat calls upon US to support UNSC Resolution setting a deadline to end the Israeli Occupation

“In his UN speech, Mr. Netanyahu closed all doors for a negotiated two-state solution by ignoring the 1967 border s and turning the conflict from political to religious , by demonizing Muslims and justifying the colonization of occupied land with religious arguments. Later, when meeting at the White House, President Obama was adamant when requesting the Israeli side to stop settlement activities in accordance with its obligations, though it took only a few minutes after concluding their meeting for Mr. Netanyahu to announce 2610 new units for the illegal settlement of Gi’vat Hamatos in Beit Safafa in full defiance of President Obama therefore undermining the US position in the region.”

Dr. Erekat continued. “After this new slap in the face to the US administration by Mr. Netanyahu and his extremist government coalition, we ask upon the US administration to stand shoulder to shoulder with us and the rest of the international community, in order to set a deadline to end the Israeli occupation at the UN Security Council. This is the only way to protect Palestinian national rights, save the two-state solution and promote regional peace and security.”

Dr. Erekat also referred to the forced closure carried out this morning in East Jerusalem by Israeli forces against the launching of the latest PLO – Negotiations Affairs Department publication entitled “Altering the Character of Jerusalem: The Forced Closure of Palestinian Institutions in Palestine’s Capital,” which was attended by diplomats from over 20 countries as well as representatives of Jerusalem’s civil society. “This is a reaffirmation of Netanyahu’s extremist statements and policies trying to alter the character of occupied Jerusalem through turning it into an exclusively Jewish city. Since 2001 Israel has closed 22 Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem in flagrant defiance of its obligations under signed agreement.”

Dr. Erekat concluded: “Mr. Netanyahu is making it even clearer to everyone that he has no intentions to make peace. It is necessary for the members of the Security Council to take action by setting a deadline to end the Israeli occupation. In the meantime, it is the responsibility of the international community to condition their relationship with Israel as part of their commitment and abidance to international law and UN resolutions. At the same tim e, those who claim to support the two-state solution must recognize the State of Palestine on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital.”