PLO official Saeb Erekat (MaanImages/File)
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Senior PLO official Saeb Erekat said on Sunday that US threats to withdraw aid to Palestinians over the bid for UN membership were "unacceptable".
Speaking after a meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi, Erekat told reporters in Cairo that the Palestinian Authority was in daily contact with the US administration, but remained "deeply at odds" over the US rejection of the Palestinian UN proposal.
"Everyone who believes in the two-state solution should support (the UN bid), as preserving peace should come through accepting Palestine as a member of the UN," the former chief Palestinian negotiator told a press conference.
Palestinians' right to self determination is "non-negotiable," he said, slamming US pressure via financial sanctions.
The UK newspaper The Independent reported Saturday that the US Congress had blocked nearly $200 million in aid for the PA in response to President Mahmoud Abbas' request to join the UN.
Erekat told reporters in Cairo "we appreciate US aid, but to be blackmailed and bargained with over our right to self-determination, on Jerusalem, and on our Arab and Islamic identity is unacceptable."
The official said George Washington, whom he described as the leader of the US war for independence, "had not bargained with King George III of England over the right to create the American state."
The US insists that Palestinians must return to talks with Israelis to establish a state, while Palestinian leaders say they cannot enter negotiations while Israel refuses to renew a partial settlement freeze that expired in September 2010, and continues to build on Palestinian lands.
Erekat denied that Arab states had put any pressure on Palestinian leaders to withdraw the UN proposal, and said the Arab League nations were showing a "high level of cooperation and coordination" with Palestinian officials' efforts to recruit Security Council votes to pass the bid.
Foreign minister in the Ramallah-based government Riyad al-Malki said on Thursday Palestinians had secured eight of the nine votes in favor that are required to secure membership.
After meeting with Erekat, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi urged Arab countries to intensify their financial aid "to counter the threats to cut aid to the Palestinians."
Senior Fatah official Muhammad Shtayyeh said on Saturday that Arab and Islamic countries had promised to fund the PA if the US followed through on threats to cut aid over Palestine's bid for full UN membership.
The Independent report said the US provides an average of $600 million in bilateral assistance to Palestinians per year. The Palestinian Authority is already facing a financial shortfall, and has twice failed to pay salaries to its 150,000 employees on time and in full in recent months.
Speaking after a meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi, Erekat told reporters in Cairo that the Palestinian Authority was in daily contact with the US administration, but remained "deeply at odds" over the US rejection of the Palestinian UN proposal.
"Everyone who believes in the two-state solution should support (the UN bid), as preserving peace should come through accepting Palestine as a member of the UN," the former chief Palestinian negotiator told a press conference.
Palestinians' right to self determination is "non-negotiable," he said, slamming US pressure via financial sanctions.
The UK newspaper The Independent reported Saturday that the US Congress had blocked nearly $200 million in aid for the PA in response to President Mahmoud Abbas' request to join the UN.
Erekat told reporters in Cairo "we appreciate US aid, but to be blackmailed and bargained with over our right to self-determination, on Jerusalem, and on our Arab and Islamic identity is unacceptable."
The official said George Washington, whom he described as the leader of the US war for independence, "had not bargained with King George III of England over the right to create the American state."
The US insists that Palestinians must return to talks with Israelis to establish a state, while Palestinian leaders say they cannot enter negotiations while Israel refuses to renew a partial settlement freeze that expired in September 2010, and continues to build on Palestinian lands.
Erekat denied that Arab states had put any pressure on Palestinian leaders to withdraw the UN proposal, and said the Arab League nations were showing a "high level of cooperation and coordination" with Palestinian officials' efforts to recruit Security Council votes to pass the bid.
Foreign minister in the Ramallah-based government Riyad al-Malki said on Thursday Palestinians had secured eight of the nine votes in favor that are required to secure membership.
After meeting with Erekat, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi urged Arab countries to intensify their financial aid "to counter the threats to cut aid to the Palestinians."
Senior Fatah official Muhammad Shtayyeh said on Saturday that Arab and Islamic countries had promised to fund the PA if the US followed through on threats to cut aid over Palestine's bid for full UN membership.
The Independent report said the US provides an average of $600 million in bilateral assistance to Palestinians per year. The Palestinian Authority is already facing a financial shortfall, and has twice failed to pay salaries to its 150,000 employees on time and in full in recent months.
Erekat says US cannot 'blackmail' PA over UN bid
No comments:
Post a Comment