Dr. Erekat marking 30 years of the massacre: “Since 1982, many Sabras and Shatilas have occurred and they all have the same components: blood and impunity.”

“30 years after the horrific massacres of Sabra and Shatila, those responsible for slaughtering thousands have not been punished and Palestinian refugees continue to be denied their homeland” Chief Palestinian Negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat said.

On the 30th anniversary of the massacre, which took place in Palestinian refugee camps in Beirut, Dr. Erekat called upon the international community “not to forget the grim reality of the 70 per cent of the Palestinian people who are refugees. Their suffering, highlighted by massacres such as Sabra and Shatila, has been prolonged due to the inability of the international system to ensure that their rights are respected.”

Dr. Erekat continued, “In 1982, foreign reporters wrote: 'How many Sabras and how many Shatilas will be needed for the world to put an end to this injustice?’ Since 1982, many Sabras and Shatilas have occurred and they all have the same components: blood and impunity.”

Dr. Erekat concluded, “There will be no solution to the question of Palestine without honoring the rights of the Palestinian refugees. It is the legal, political and moral responsibility of the international community to ensure that the internationally recognized and long overdue rights of the Palestinian refugees to return, restitution, and compensation are respected.”

The massacre occurred between the 16th and 18th of September, 1982, in the refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila, after the PLO had withdrawn from Lebanon and the protection of Palestinian refugees had become the responsibility of the Multinational Force in Lebanon.  The Israeli Army, commanded by Ariel Sharon, had full control over the area and allowed this barbaric massacre to occur, leaving thousands dead, mainly women, children and the elderly.