Dr. Erekat on Geneva Negotiations and Approval of 799 new settlement units

Dr. Saeb Erekat, PLO Executive Committee Member, welcomed the agreement reached in Geneva on the Iran, and called upon the international community to use the same determination and action to achieve a just and lasting peace in Palestine.

“The negotiations that took place in Geneva present of a unique precedent and platform for the international community to resolve differences avoiding war and violence. We call upon the international community to make use of the same efforts in order to end decades of occupation and exile for the people of Palestine in order to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.”

Dr. Erekat continued: “The international community must show determination in order to stop treating Israel as a state above the law. In order to achieve a just and lasting peace, this culture of impunity must end. Daily violations of international humanitarian law committed by Israel, the occupying power, must be met with increasing international action that will create the conditions for Israel to end its illegal practices and adopt policies of cooperation and understanding between two sovereign states.”

Referring to the recent approval by Israel of 799 new settlement units in Palestine, Dr. Erekat said, “it is part of a consistent policy led by the Government of Israel to destroy the two-state solution and the chances of a negotiated two-state solution. PM Netanyahu continues to undermine the efforts of Secretary Kerry by showing Israelis, Palestinians and the rest of the international community that his sole interest is to consolidate an Apartheid regime, rather than to achieve a just and lasting peace.”