RAMALLAH, May 7, 2015 (WAFA) – Member of the PLO executive committee Saeb Erekat said on Thursday that the new Israeli government coalition further exacerbates the tense situation in the region.

“With the dust beginning to settle on the new Israeli coalition government, the face of a new form of racist, and discriminatory Israel has been revealed; Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently leading the charge to bury the two state solution and impose a perpetual Apartheid regime, Neftali Bennet a new minister boasting the murder of Palestinians, and the new Minister of Justice, Ayelet Shaked, openly calling on the genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people,” said Erekat in an official statement.

“Congratulations Israel, your new government has ensured that peace is not on their agenda.  This new right-wing, extremist government is not a partner for peace when the leaders call for the annexation of Palestinian land, for the forcible transfer of the Palestinian population, and for the genocide against our people.”  

He added, “The time is well overdue for the International community to face the reality and hold Israel accountable for the crimes and violations made against our people.”

The PLO’s senior official called on the international community to safeguard the two-State solution and to stop treating Israel as a state above the law, to support the Palestinian rights and diplomatic initiatives including the UN Security Council, and to ensure the application of the Fourth Geneva Convention in the Occupied State of Palestine.”

Erekat also called for supporting the Palestinian Authority’s efforts in the International Criminal Court and for recogniz the State of Palestine.

M.N./T.R.