RAMALLAH, February 6, 2018 (WAFA) – Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi thanked the Arab and International Relations Council (AIRC) for its support for Palestine.
Ashrawi attended an AIRC Board of Trustees meeting which took place on February 3 and 4 in Kuwait City. Palestinian lawmaker, Mustafa Barghouti, was also among the participants in attendance as a member of the AIRC Board of Trustees.
During the meeting, Ashrawi discussed the critical conditions on the ground, in particular America‘s disastrous decision-making towards Palestine which includes US President Donald Trump‘s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel‘s capital and his pronouncement to relocate the American embassy to Jerusalem.
"The U.S. is undoubtedly transforming Jerusalem into a Jewish-only city, erasing its Palestinian presence and identity,” Ashrawi told the board meeting. “Such unilateral moves adopted by the Trump administration have also emboldened Israel to escalate its illegal settlement activities in and around Jerusalem."
Ashrawi expressed her appreciation to the AIRC for making Palestine the priority of the meeting and for offering financial assistance to the Palestinian people in light of the US Administration‘s decision to cut funds to the United Nations refugee agency, UNRWA.
She also thanked the AIRC for rejecting Israel‘s attempts to normalize relations with Arab countries at the expense of the Palestinian cause and for taking part in the boycott campaign against Israel.
In addition, Ashrawi extended her gratitude to all Arab states for voting in favor of the UN General Assembly resolution rejecting President Trump‘s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel‘s capital.
In accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative, the AIRC reaffirmed its absolute support of the Palestinian struggle for justice and freedom and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
On the right of return of Palestinian refugees, the AIRC stated that there would be no flexibility on the issue.
The AIRC also urged Israel to dismantle all settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, and in that context, all AIRC members unanimously agreed that Israel must be held accountable for its violations of international law.
Following the two-day meeting, the AIRC Board of Trustees met separately with the Emir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and with Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. In both meetings, the AIRC Board of Trustees thanked the Kuwaiti government for its honorable positions and its commitment to the two-state solution and a just peace, and it called on the Kuwaiti government to continue its firm support of the Palestinian cause.
M.K.
