Dr. Ashrawi on the 46th anniversary of the Israeli occupation of twenty-two percent of historical Palestine
PLO Executive Committee member, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, strongly condemned the Israeli Supreme Court's decision to allow an Israeli construction company to move forward with the construction of 700 new housing units in the illegal settlement of Alei Zahav:
“With the continuation of its military occupation of Palestine and policies of colonialization and apartheid, Israel is sending a direct message to the world that it is in clear defiance of the will of theinternational community. Rather than complying with international law and conventions and supporting efforts to salvage the political process, Israel is building more settlements, ethnically cleansing Palestinians areas, particularly in and around Jerusalem, and demolishing Palestinian homes."
On the occasion of the 46th anniversary after the Israeli occupation of twenty-two percent of historical Palestine, Dr. Ashrawi said:
“Forty-six years later, the Israeli occupation of twenty-two percent of historical Palestine still constitutes a humanitarian and political disaster that dominates and controls the lives of the Palestinian people inPalestine and in exile. However, it must be stressed that the Palestinian people will never accept another Nakba; our struggle will continue until we acquire our legitimate right to self-determination and witness the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital."
"The time has come to end the historical injustice of the Palestinian people. The world must shoulder its political, legal and ethical responsibilities and hold Israel accountable for its violations of international and humanitarian law. Granting Palestinians their right to statehood and ending the occupation are conditions for achieving peace in the region and beyond. A need for justice and historical redemption in Palestine is more urgent now than ever," concluded Dr. Ashrawi.