The European role is essential in holding Israel accountable

Dr. Ashrawi: “The European role is essential in holding Israel accountable and ending the military occupation”

Yesterday, PLO Executive Committee Member Dr. Hanan Ashrawi met with a visiting delegation from the Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania and representatives from the Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends.

Dr. Ashrawi expressed her profound appreciation to the Quaker groups for their ongoing support of Palestine, their educational programs for Palestinian youth, and their dedication to peace and justice.

In the meeting, Dr. Ashrawi discussed the latest facts on the ground and the escalation of Israeli violations of international law and acts of ongoing aggression, including Israel’s illegal settlement activities in and around Jerusalem, the demolition of Palestinian homes, the revocation of Jerusalem IDs, and the continued annexation of land and expulsion of Palestinians in Area C, the most recent Palestinian political and multilateral initiatives and the implications of the ICC move, and the imperative of both the U.S. Congress and of the Administration of having a more balanced approach and the latest developments of American-Israeli relations in the context of the Israeli elections, as well as the horrific outcomes from Israel’s war on Gaza last summer and the need for genuine reconciliation and rapid relief and reconstruction in Gaza.

In a separate matter, Dr. Ashrawi welcomed the leaked EU report calling for stronger sanctions against Israel:

“We welcome this report that calls for measures against violent settlers, ‘further and coordinated steps to ensure that consumers in the EU are able to exercise their right to an informed choice in respect of settlement products in conformity with existing EU rules of origin,’ efforts to raise awareness on the risks related to working with settlements, and the advancement of voluntary guidelines for tourism operators to prevent support for settlement business in Occupied East Jerusalem.

Once again, the EU is translating its statements and declarations to efficient policy decisions and concrete measures which will have a positive impact on the chances for justice and peace. Israel’s military occupation must be held accountable, and Israel must comply with international law and consensus. It is our hope that other members of the international community will follow suit and undertake punitive action against Israel and that all European governments will recognize the State of Palestine in the near future,” stressed Dr. Ashrawi.

ENDS

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