RAMALLAH, September 29, 2017 (WAFA) – Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization Hanan Ashrawi Thursday welcomed three recent developments signaling “strong support for justice in Palestine”.
Ashrawi welcomed this developments as a “proof of the ongoing strong support for the Palestinian struggle for justice and freedom” and affirmed: “We are encouraged by such strong support for justice in Palestine”.
She referred to the UN Human Rights Commissioner Zeid Ra‘ad Al Hussein, who reportedly began sending letters to 150 companies in Israel and around the world, warning them that they are about to be added to a UN database of “all business enterprises” doing business in Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Ashrawi welcomed efforts by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in particular Al Hussein‘s implementation of Human Rights Council Resolution 31/36 on the illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian territory, as expressed in his letters to the companies.
“Israel‘s illegal settlement policies and practices are a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and in direct contravention of international law,” she affirmed.
“Such a development is an indication of the United Nations attempt to curb Israeli violations and to begin a process of legal accountability for those who are complicit in illegal settlements” she added.
Another positive development Ashrawi welcomed was the keynote speech delivered by leader of the leader of Britain’s Labour party Jeremy Corbyn at the Labour Party conference in Brighton.
Corbyn reportedly stated: “And let‘s give real support to end the oppression of the Palestinian people, the 50-year occupation and illegal settlement expansion and move to a genuine two-state solution of the Israel-Palestine conflict.”
Ashrawi expressed her gratitude to Jeremy “for adopting a principled and courageous stand on behalf of the Palestinian people.”
“His extremely encouraging words help restore our faith that there are politicians of integrity who are willing to deal with Palestine in ways that are consistent with justice, international law and the service of peace,” she added.
The PLO Executive Committee member also welcomed Palestine’s successful bid to accede to the international policing organization (Interpol) as a member state as a third positive development.
Responding to this development, she expressed her appreciation to the seventy-five countries that voted Wednesday in favor of Palestine becoming a member of Interpol.
“Their support is real proof that this organization is committed to its mandate to ensure the global rule of law and that any criminal around the world will not be allowed to escape justice,” she said.
K.F.
