Statement by PLO Secretary General Dr. Saeb Erekat on the martyrdom of Reham Dawabsheh

Today we are saddened by the loss of Reham Dawabsheh, who succumbed to her wounds after more than a month struggling to survive. Most of her body was burnt as Israeli terrorists attacked and burnt her home, killing her toddler son Ali and her husband Sa’ad. Now Ahmad Dawabsheh, 4 years old, is the only one left from the family, with burns over 60% of his body.

If Israel is not stopped and held accountable then  Reham will not be the last victim of Israeli terror. There is a culture of hate that has been developing in Israel by supporting settlements and Apartheid. The assassination of the Dawabsheh family reflects the clear connection between hate speech, settlement expansion and the impunity granted to Israel by the International community. 

Over a month has passed and the Israeli government hasn't yet brought the terrorists to justice. In fact more hate-speech and incitement have been coming out from members of the Israeli government, more settler attacks have been carried and more Palestinians have been killed, injured and/or detained.

We hold the Israeli government fully responsible. Once again we call upon the international community to protect the Palestinian people under occupation, and to put an end to Israel’s culture of impunity. 

Our deep condolences to the Dawabsheh family and to all the Palestinian people.