Barghouti: EU Should Pressure Israel To Halt Settlements Expansion

Dr. Barghouthi also stressed that “despite the fact that the original draft proposed by Sweden met more appropriately the aspirations of Palestinian people, the EU Resolution focused on international law and international legitimacy, referring to the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem as a whole occupied territory.”

The EU statement affirmed that “All Israeli actions, including the annexation of Jerusalem and the settlements expansion in West Bank as well as in Jerusalem are illegal under the international law”. Barghouthi states “These are facts and cannot be considered as issues to be debated. Negotiations are not above the law and cannot be a substitute for the international law and legitimacy. We hope that the EU’s position will be strengthened by affirmation that the respect of international law and resolutions in ending Israeli occupation and the rights of the Palestinian people for self determination should be the framework reference for any future negotiation”.

“We appreciate the EU position in underlining the urgent need to end internal divisions and to restore a Palestinian national unity". He called “on the European Union to pressure Israel to immediately end all settlements activities in East Jerusalem and in the rest of the occupied territories as an entry point to any fruitful negotiation”.

For interviews or comments: Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi: 0599/ 201 528 Or: 0599/ 940 073