WASHINGTON, January 10, 2007 (WAFA)-The Palestinian American Congress(PAC) voiced deep distress at the violence within Palestinian communities in the Occupied Gaza Strip(GS) and West Bank(WB).

In a statement, PAC, which comprised of Palestinians with diverse political views, stressed on unity and support to the Palestinians to achieve our people's fundamental human and national rights to equality and freedom from Israeli occupation, and, for those Palestinians in forced exile, to return to their homes and homeland.

"We deeply grieve the recent deaths and injuries of all our Palestinian brothers and sisters, no matter what their beliefs and political affiliations. We firmly reject internal violence as a cure to any of the problems that currently face us as a people. We know that our enemies plant seeds of divisions and celebrate at any divisions within our national movement, "PAC said.

PAC called on all Palestinian leaders and all Palestinian individuals to refrain from any violence or threats of violence against other Palestinians.

"We ask all Palestinians to consider our collective commitment to justice for our people as a whole, and to unite again to achieve our national objectives of return and self determination," it added.

M.H.(12:20 P)(10:20 GMT)