JERICHO, January 20, 2016 (WAFA) – Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat Wednesday deplored Israeli Prime Minister’s Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to seize 1500 dunums under the authority of the Jericho and Jordan Valley governorate and label it as state property.
Described as the largest seizure scheme in two years, Erekat affirmed that the Palestinian leadership will submit the settlement activities file to the Security Council very soon.
Erekat visited the targeted area along with dozens of international, Arab and Palestinian journalists to brief them on what he called an example of “Apartheid”.
He said the decision comes as a response to the conclusions of the Council of the European Union and the Human Rights Watch’s report.
“All these parties demanded Netanyahu to end settlement activities, the policy of collective punishment, home demolitions and Bedouins’ forced displacement, but he chose to respond with another demolition in Silwan and Beit Hanina and seizure of thousands of dunums in Jericho under the watchful eye of the world,” he said.
“Instead of abiding by the international willpower, Netanyahu continues his policy of deception and fraud. He announced that Palestinians and settlers are subject to the same law, which is a unashamed insult to the international community that observes the occupation’s actions and realizes the danger of Apartheid on the Two-State solution and the entire region.”
According to Erekat, 45% of Jericho and the Jordan Valley’s lands are considered closed security zones, with 16% allocated to settlement activities and only 8% to Palestinians.
In this area, Israel maintains some of the largest Dates and Turkey farms as well as huge artificial ponds to breed crocodiles, which provide revenue of over $500 million every year to support 5000 settlers, he said.
“The largest racist and colonial Apartheid regime is found here and it must be stopped before it is too late.”
Erekat once again welcomed the conclusions of the Council of the European Union, reiterated that settlement activities are illegal. He called on world countries to hold Netanyahu accountable and his racist government.
M.H
