Ashrawi: Irresponsible US Moves Threatens to Plunge Entire Region into Chaos
Ramallah, MINA — The US administration’s recent destructive and irresponsible moves threaten to plunge the entire region into chaos, violence and instability, WAFA reported, citing Hanan Ashrawi, member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in a statement on Wednesday.
Ashrawi also lashed out at Israel saying it is incumbent upon the international community to curb Israeli lawlessness and end its occupation of Palestine.
The PLO official made these remarks during meetings with Japanese parliamentarians and diplomats who visited her at her Ramallah office.
The discussion focused on the latest political developments and Israel’s systematic violations of international law and conventions, including the escalation of its illegal settlement activities in and around occupied Jerusalem, its plans to destroy the Palestinian Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar, the extra-judicial executions of Palestinians, the illegal siege of Gaza, and collective punishment measures, according to a press release by Ashrawi’s office.
In that context, Ashrawi stressed, “Such egregious violations require serious and effective multilateral international action. We call on the Japanese government to support our efforts in that regard. We also urge Japan to play a proactive political role in order to ensure an end to the occupation and to establish the independent and sovereign state of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
The meeting also reviewed the US administration’s fateful alliance with Israel which provides it with blanket support for its illegal and immoral behavior and war crimes against the Palestinian people, said the press release. In that regard, Ashrawi said, “The US administration’s recent destructive and irresponsible moves threaten to plunge the entire region into chaos, violence and instability.”
Both parties also reviewed the positive relations between Palestine and Japan and discussed ways to create even greater understanding and cooperation between the two peoples and countries.
In a separate meeting, Ashrawi met with the head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) James Heenan.
Ashrawi briefed him on the continued deterioration of the human rights situation throughout occupied Palestine as a result of Israel’s persistent violations and war crimes.
The meeting addressed the deliberate targeting of the Human Rights Council and other international organizations by the US administration and Israel.
Both parties also discussed current Palestinian political developments, as well as the seven relevant multilateral treaties and conventions that the State of Palestine acceded to in 2014, three of which Palestine has presented treaty reports on in the Human Rights Council.
In this context, Ashrawi affirmed, “It is imperative that Palestinian legislation is consistent with our obligations under international treaties and conventions. The State of Palestine is working to implement its international responsibilities to promote and protect human rights. The universal values of human rights and justice have been and continue to be the main focus of the struggle of the Palestinian people to achieve their inalienable rights, foremost of which is their right to self-determination.” (T/RS5/RS1)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
