RAMALLAH, August 23, 2018 (WAFA) - PLO Executive Committee Secretary Saeb Erekat said the Israeli occupation authorities’ announcement of new illegal settlement units in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and its persistent colonial expansion and apartheid are the results of continued American encouragement of Israeli violations.

In a press statement, Erekat stressed that US State Department’s  failure to condemn such illegal colonial plans gives Tel Aviv the green light to continue its violations of international law which threaten peace and security in our region.

Erekat urged to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law, pointing to the latest UN Secretary-General‘s report on securing international protection for the Palestinian people. Erekat praised the report; which stipulated that those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law must be held accountable.

“Settlement colonial expansion in occupied Palestine by the Israeli occupation authority is not only a serious violation of international humanitarian law, but a war crime that would not have taken place without the granting of immunity and treating it as a state above the law by the international community. "

The Executive Secretary called on the international community to impose sanctions on Israel until it recognizes and fulfills its obligations under international law and UN resolutions.

T.R.