On behalf of the PLO Executive Committee, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi strongly condemns the killing of a Palestinian farmer by Israeli settlers
"In the strongest terms, we condemn the killing of Palestinian farmer Mahmoud Ahmad Zaal Odeh (48) by Israeli settlers belonging to the illegal settlement outpost of Yash Kod. Odeh who is from the village of Qusra located south of Nablus was working his land when he was shot in the chest and killed by the settlers. Fayez Fathi Hasan (47) was also injured and shot in the leg. Following the attack, the Israeli army surrounded and raided Qusra, restricting movement in the area.
Under the protection of the Israeli army, illegal and extremist Jewish settlers continue to terrorize and attack defenseless Palestinian civilians. Yet, their acts of violence and destruction remain unchecked by Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing extremist government are responsible for generating a culture of systemic racism, injustice, and hate against the Palestinian people, and enabling its extremist settler population to act as terrorists. Clearly, Israel is more committed to appeasing the settlers at the expense of the indigenous Palestinians than to bringing its criminals to justice.
We call on all members of the international community to undertake concrete measures and to hold Israel liable for its unbridled violations. Accountability should include punitive measures and sanctions before Israel succeeds in generating more violence, extremism and instability."