RAMALLAH, June 6, 2018 (WAFA) - Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Saeb Erekat, said on Wednesday that Argentina has triumphed for international law when it canceled its pre-World Cup friendly match with the Israeli football team.

“Thanks to Argentina and its brave people as well as its distinguished football team for choosing to abide by the principles of international law and for refusing to yield to any form of bullying, intimidation and extortion tactics” by the Israeli government, he said in a statement.

Responding to remarks by Israeli Minister of Culture Miri Regev in which she said that she hopes “Argentina will not surrender to the threats of terrorism and will not cancel its game with Israel," Erekat said that “the world will not submit to Israel‘s state terrorism, extortion, threats, and intimidation, all fully backed by (US) President (Donald) Trump’s Administration.”

He added: “The Israeli occupying power and its army shouldn‘t be awarded for the killing of our innocent civilians; our children, paramedics, women, people with disabilities, and all the peaceful protestors in Gaza today.  These crimes should be investigated and prosecuted. The international community can no longer remain silent while the Israeli government continues with its aggression and crimes against the people of Palestine.”

The Argentine Football Association canceled on Tuesday its match with Israel planned to be played in Jerusalem on Saturday as a result of the efforts of the Palestinian Football Association and its chairman Jibril Rjoub with the help of regional and international sports federations.

M.K.