Ashrawi: EU must follow statement with bold initiatives

PLO Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi Tuesday called on the European Union to follow up on its Council statement with bold initiatives: “With Israel\'s deliberate campaign of provocations and violations of international law and signed agreements, it is of utmost urgency for European countries to follow their statements with bold initiatives and concrete steps before it is too late,” she said in a statement. “We welcome the EU’s condemnation of Israeli plans to expand settlements in and around Jerusalem, particularly in the E-1 area, and of Israel’s efforts to undermine the financial situation of the Palestinian people,” said Ashrawi. However, she added, “with the most recent escalation of Israel’s settlement activities and the rise of settler violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the blatant attack on Palestinian security forces, the raiding and plundering of the offices of Palestinian NGOs and civil society organizations, and the increase in home demolitions, now is the time for the EU to show the political will that is necessary to stand up to Israel and its continued willful violations of international law and Palestinian rights.” Ashrawi called on the EU to hold Israel accountable for its illegal occupation of Palestine, reconsider its political and trade relations with Israel and agreements, including the EU-Israel Association agreement, implement a ban on Israeli settler products and extremist settlers, and rescue the chances for peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.