JERICHO, October 28, 2009 (WAFA)- Head of PLO Negotiation Affairs Department, Dr Saeb Erakat said the Israeli assault on Al-Aqsa Esplanade escalates tensions to the point of violence, saying the Israeli government is looking for an escape clause to avoid meaningful negotiation.
He condemned Israel’s latest violence against Palestinian worshippers at the Al-Aqsa, calling on the Quartet to immediately demand that Israel end its incitement against Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem.
“These are not the actions of a partner for peace, but a coalition of political forces in Israel that have consistently opposed peace between Palestinians and Israelis,” Erakat added. “ Israel is intensifying the violence of its occupation against ordinary Palestinians while it relentlessly pursues its colonization of occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank.”
Erekat said: “The tensions created by these policies highlight why an immediate freeze on Israel’s ongoing settlement construction and Palestinian home demolitions is essential to restarting negotiations,” he concluded. “The international community must intervene and demand an end to Israeli incitement. Otherwise we fear that violence may spiral out of control.”
