RAMALLAH, Sunday, June 09, 2019 (WAFA) – Palestinian officials have condemned the recent statement by US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, in which he said that Israel has the right to annex at least “some” of the occupied West Bank.

Secretary General of Palestine Liberation Organization Executive Committee, Saeb Erekat, wrote on Twitter that "the vision of the American side to annex occupied territories is a war crime according to the international law."

He also wrote, “President Trump’s ambassador provides enough background in order for everyone not to attend the Manama meeting: Their vision is about annexation of occupied territory, a war crime under international law.”

Friedman had earlier told the New York Times that it is the right of Israel to annex parts of the West Bank territories and not all the West Bank, and blamed the Palestinian Authority for the current stalemate in the peace process with Israel.

Nabil Shaath, an aide to President Mahmoud Abbas for foreign affairs and international relations, told Voice of Palestine Radio that the statements of the US ambassador "are totally rejected by all the Palestinians."

“We won‘t accept any American or Israeli steps and measures,” Shaath said, adding that the Palestinians “are sticking to their territories and will carry on with their struggle until they topple all the plots that aim at eliminating the Palestinian cause.”

Shaath, a veteran Palestinian negotiator also said that “practically, Israel still occupies area C in the West Bank, and any Israeli measures will be a violation to the international law.”

“US President Donald Trump protects and encourages the Israeli side to keep occupying other people‘s territories and violate the international law," said Shaath, clarifying that "any peaceful solution must end the Israeli occupation.”

Friedman‘s remarks were made few days before holding a U.S.-sponsored Economic Workshop in Bahrain called "Peace for Prosperity." The Palestinians announced that they are boycotting the workshop.

M.N