RAMALLAH, July 6, 2018 (WAFA) – Member of the PLO Executive Committee Hanan Ashrawi Thursday urged positive engagement to protect Palestinian rights in separate meetings with Belgian Consul General Danielle Haven and Chilean businesswomen.
Ashrawi met with Haven at the PLO Headquarters in Ramallah, and both discussed cooperation between the two countries and reviewed the latest political developments, domestically and regionally, and their impact on Palestine.
In that context, Ashrawi pointed out the detrimental policies of the U.S. administration in partnering with the Israeli occupation and against peace. Recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, relocating the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, omitting mention of the 1967 borders and the two-state solution, refraining from addressing the illegality of the Jewish settlements, targeting the Palestinian refugees and defunding UNRWA, dropping the term "occupation" from their official statements, and then attempting to turn Gaza into a humanitarian and economic issue rather than a political issue to maintain its separation from the West Bank are all "American steps that do not bode well for peace."
They further discussed Israel‘s ethnic cleansing of the Khan al-Ahmar village in East Jerusalem and its attempt to implement the E1 project that would isolate Jerusalem and bisect the West Bank.
Ashrawi expressed her appreciation to her guest, as well as to diplomats from France, U.K., Italy, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and Ireland who had just visited Khan al-Ahmar. She also extended gratitude to all those countries who issued statements and officially protested Israeli measures in that regard.
She also urged the Belgian official to work within the European Union to hold Israel accountable for its persistent violations of international law and international humanitarian law and to implement European legislation which would include concrete steps such as economic sanctions.
Thanking Haven for Belgium‘s voting record at the United Nations, Ashrawi further asked her guest to urge the Belgian government to recognize Palestine, to which the Haven replied, "Belgium will take that step at the right time in the company of other European countries."
Separately, and organized by the Bank of Palestine, Ashrawi met with a delegation of leading Chilean businesswomen and entrepreneurs of Palestinian origin. Her presentation addressed the history of Palestine, the different stages of ethnic cleansing and Zionist expansionism, and ended with a full analysis on the latest political developments, including Israeli escalations and U.S. policies of blind support for Israeli impunity.
Ashrawi also emphasized the important role of Palestinian expatriate communities in relaying the Palestinian narrative and advocating for Palestine. Her guests raised the question of the responsibility of Christian communities all over the world to protect the Palestinian people and defend the cause of Palestine.
The visiting delegation asked questions pertaining to internal conditions including the division, empowerment of women and youth, as well as involvement in private sector investments. All agreed that they will work to support Palestinian resilience and resistance during such difficult and challenging times.
K.F.
