Dr. Saeb Erekat: US Congressional Move an Affront to International Law

Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Dr. Saeb Erekat today condemned the majority vote in Congress denouncing United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334.  The resolution which was adopted by the international body discusses the illegality of the Israeli settlement enterprise.  During the Congressional session, members stated their intention to repeal the UN resolution, withhold funding to the UN as well as funding to those countries which supported the UN resolution, and reintroduced a bill to not only move the US embassy to Jerusalem but includes illegal annexation of East Jerusalem by Israel.  Dr. Erekat described these unfortunate positions as an affront to international law and the United Nations, which govern world security and peace.

Dr. Erekat called on Congress to correct this wrong, which would place the United States in a position to be internationally questioned about its stance vis-a-vis international law and consensus. "Rather than demand the US administration oppose any resolution against the occupying state, members of Congress should have instead encouraged the next US administration to adhere to established US policy toward the illegitimacy of Israel's settlement enterprise and annexation of Jerusalem, including the most recent position by the Obama administration, and adopt the language of international to implement the recent resolution by the United Nations Security Council," Dr. Erekat said.

Dr. Erekat pointed out that such positions and laws run counter to international law and destroy the prospects for peace, such as those initiatives introduced by Israeli Minister of Education Naftali Bennett, including his latest announcement to introduce a bill to annex the illegal settlement of Ma’ale Adumim.  He also warned of the risks associated with such hostile initiatives. "These attempts will only ignite violence and create an atmosphere that foments tensions, not only in Palestine but also in the Arab and Islamic world and globally,” he said.  “What is needed now to achieve peace and stability in the region and the world is to implement international resolutions and end Israel's occupation, the root cause of violence and terror, and to recognize the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem."

Dr. Saeb Erekat called on US Members of Congress to visit the State of Palestine to see the reality of one state with two systems, the apartheid regime the occupying power has imposed on the ground and its continued violations of the Palestinian people's rights.  He expressed confidence in the strong will of the international community, which will culminate in the Paris International Peace Conference toward achieving peace and stability.  "All of this necessitates that we take responsibility by working effectively to confront these serious challenges, achieve domestic reconciliation, form a national unity government, convene the PLO National Council, and hold presidential and legislative elections,” Dr. Erekat concluded.