RAMALLAH, December 8, 2015 (WAFA) – Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat expressed, in a statement Tuesday, his concern over Israel’s increasing demolition of Palestinians’ homes in Jerusalem and Jordan Valley.

He said he was concerned with the situation in Al-Hadidiya village in the Jordan Valley, “where Israeli colonization policies have dramatically reduced the Palestinian population for the benefit of illegal Israeli settlements.”

Erekat said that forcible displacement of Palestinians was part of the ongoing “Nakba” aimed at displacing our people and replacing them with foreign settlers.

“The home demolitions in Jerusalem have reached such an intolerable degree that Palestinians are virtually prevented from building on their own land, while the occupation authorities continue to justify the systematic collective punishment of our people,” he said.

He reiterated that international community “has the responsibility to protect the Palestinian people living under occupation, and particularly, vulnerable communities that have been deprived of their basic rights, including their right to a home and enjoyment of their property, access to their natural resources, and to other basic services.”

“Countries who claim to support the two-state solution but have failed to recognize the State of Palestine on the 1967 border must do so immediately, just as other policies must be implemented, including banning all settlement products and divesting from all companies directly or indirectly involved with the Israeli occupation and colonization of Palestine,” Erekat stressed.

“We commend the efforts of civil society, working tirelessly to ensure their governments and communities stop rewarding companies involved in home demolitions through legislation and divestment campaigns.”

M.N./T.R.