Dr. Saeb Erekat on the occasion of Land Day

Today we’re marking 40 years since a group of Palestinian citizens rebelled against the expropriation of their lands in the Galilee. The heroism of the people of Sakhnin, Deir Hanna, Arrabeh, Nur Shams, Kufr Qanna, as well as other villages in the Galilee, became an example for the Palestinian nation. Consequently, Israel’s racism and repression killed 6 Palestinians and injured over 100 during these events. 

Israel's racist policies are designed to consolidate the idea of a “Jewish state.” Rather than supporting the two-state solution on the 1967 border, the Israeli government continues to consider all of historic Palestine as part of Israel with the aim to impose two different systems, an Apartheid regime. Just as several Palestinian communities face forcible displacement in Occupied East Jerusalem, Hebron and the Jordan Valley, today there are Israeli plans for the forcible displacement of Bedouins in Al Hiran area in Al Naqab (Negev). 

On this day we salute the heroic Palestinian people wherever they are and once again we call upon the international community to take action against Tel Aviv’s racist colonization policies, including its racism against Palestinian citizens of Israel. 

Today I met with representatives from the European Union in Palestine, including its members, in order to deliver a message of disappointment regarding the EU’s position on Palestine at the UN Human Rights Council as well as for the attacks coming from EU officials against civil society non-violent campaigns to end the Israeli occupation that began in 1967. 

We have also delivered a letter to Ms. Mogherini seeking clarification regarding some statements coming from European officials on the matter.