The Negotiations Affairs Department Calls Upon the International Criminal Court to Open an Investigation into the Extrajudicial Killing of Martyr Ahmad Erekat

In the strongest terms, we condemn the heinous crime committed by the Israeli occupying forces against Ahmed Mustafa Erekat (28 years old) from Jerusalem, who was executed in cold blood and mercilessly left to bleed to death. His execution, the prevention of the Red Crescent paramedics from approaching him to provide medical aid, and the withholding of his body, are all horrific crimes. The International Criminal Court (ICC) must expedite the opening of a criminal investigation into Israeli war crimes.

This horrific crime is at the core of Israel's violent escalation against the people of Palestine as it prepares for the further annexation of Palestinian lands in the framework of the "Greater Israel" colonial project. It's part of its series of crimes and systematic process of ethnic cleansing, led by the current extremist Israeli coalition, aiming to eliminate the Palestinian national presence. 

Ahmad's execution comes on the eve of the US administration meeting to take the final unilateral decision to allow for Israel's further annexation of lands belonging to the State of Palestine. It also comes on the eve of the UN Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including Israel's illegal annexation plans. 

Israel, the occupying power, continues to act with a culture of impunity that will keep triggering such crimes. It is immoral to continue allowing the denial of the Palestinian people of their rights. We deserve nothing less than justice and freedom. Henceforth, we call upon the ICC to open an investigation into all of Israel's extrajudicial killings of Palestinians, including the recent executions of Ahmad Erekat and Eyad al-Hallaq. It is long overdue for the international community to take concrete action towards holding Israeli war criminals accountable for their systematic crimes.

We conclude by offering our sincere condolences to the martyr's family, the PLO Secretary-General Dr. Saeb Erekat, and the whole Palestinian people. The blood of our martyrs will never go in vain, and we will continue our struggle until we fulfill our inalienable and sacred rights to freedom and independence.