Ashrawi of PLO: Israeli Occupation Emboldened by Trump’s Irresponsible Policies

PLO Executive Committee Member Hanan Ashrawi (Photo: Ma’an News Agency)

Ramallah, MINA – PLO Executive Committee Member Hanan Ashrawi said that the Israeli occupation has been emboldened by [US President Donald]Trump’s irresponsible policies in defiance of international law and the requirements of peace, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

addressing a visiting delegation of representatives of the German Federal Foreign Office in charge of the Middle East Department to the Palestinian Territories at the PLO Headquarters in Ramallah, Ashrawi said that Trump has transformed the U.S. position from being an honest peace broker to a partner in the occupation.

In her thorough analysis of the current situation on the ground and the major challenges to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the chances for peace, Ashrawi discussed Israel’s flagrant violations of international law and unilateral measures in and around Jerusalem.

“Undoubtedly, Israel is attempting to complete the total annexation and isolation of Palestinian Jerusalem and continue with the deliberate historical, political, cultural, demographic, and geographic transformation of the occupied city, erasing its Palestinian presence and identity.”

The meeting also focused on the latest political and regional developments, primarily the U.S. administration’s total disregard for the integrity of the global rule of law and how its detrimental positions have enabled Israel to continue with its unlawful unilateralism, generating more extremism, violence and instability in an already volatile region.

“This occupation has been emboldened by Trump’s irresponsible policies in defiance of international law and the requirements of peace. “

Ashrawi urged the international community, including the European Union, to exercise the political will necessary to play a decisive political role and to hold Israel to account for its persistent breach of international law and international humanitarian law.

She praised the German government’s vote in favor of the UNGA resolution rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, as well as its continued support of Palestinian aspirations for independence and statehood.

Several other issues were raised, including the issue of the internal rift in which Ashrawi affirmed the importance of national unity and elections and the need to revitalize and rejuvenate the Palestinian political system.

The issue of regional and Arab relations was also addressed, as well as the subject of Israeli political developments and public opinion in relation to Palestine and peace. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)