Dr. Saeb Erekat on the Reservations Made by the United Kingdom and Australia to the Final Statement of the Paris Peace Conference

We regret and denounce the reservations made by the United Kingdom and Australia to the final statement of the Paris Peace Conference, which emphasized the commitment of the international community to the two-state solution and to end Israel's occupation of Palestine. The real risks threatening peace lie in such positions that grant Israel impunity and encourage it to continue with its illegal settlement enterprise on the land of Palestine.

These reservations are groundless. The world is aware of the Israeli rejection of international calls to revive the political process and of Israel's commitment to colonization policies and projects that systematically target the land and people of Palestine, in breach of international law and United Nations resolutions.

For years substantial efforts were made by France and many other countries around the world to push the political process forward on the basis of international law, and we were expecting the United Kingdom, in particular, to play an effective role in the international system that rejects the Israeli occupation and its settlement enterprise. 

The United Kingdom should revise its positions by holding Israel accountable, as well as support the Palestinian and international initiatives. It is time to end the historic injustice that befell our people who will soon mark the anniversary of the infamous Balfour Declaration. 

We call upon both countries to correct this mistake and to recognize the State of Palestine in line with their support and commitment to the two-state solution.