Dr. Hanan Ashrawi: U.S. Positioned Itself outside the Law and on the Side of Occupation

Member of the PLO Executive Committee Dr.Hanan Ashrawi has underscored that the American use of the veto against the UNSC resolution on al-Quds means that the U.S. has positioned itself alongside Israel, outside the law and on the side of illegality and occupation.

In an email sent by the PLO Department of Culture and Information to the Syriatimes e-newspaper, Dr. Ashrawi said: “By using the veto, the U.S. has positioned itself alongside Israel, outside the law and on the side of illegality and occupation.  It has also become complicit in Israel’s illegal annexation of al-Quds.  As a result, it is facing international isolation and condemnation while attacking the very organization that is globally entrusted with maintaining the rule of law and peace and security throughout the world.”

 The Palestinian politician went on to say that it is inconceivable that as a member of the UNSC, the U.S. is committing this egregious violation and defying the global rule of law and the will of the international community.

“The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley’s speech to the UN Security Council compounds the injustice already inflicted on the Palestinian people.  First, the U.S. gives away al-Quds, recognizing it as Israel’s capital and declaring its intention to move its embassy to al-Quds, and second, it vetoes a move that was intended to rectify such illegal and irresponsible behavior,” she added.

Dr. Ashrawi insisted that the Palestinian authority will persist in its efforts to seek protection for the people of Palestine and accountability for Israel in the international arena.

“We will persist in our efforts to seek protection for the people of Palestine and accountability for Israel in the international arena.  We will participate in an emergency session at the UN General Assembly to be held this week in accordance with the “Uniting for Peace Resolution” (377 A (V)); we fully intend to make sure that justice will prevail and American-Israeli violations will not succeed in undermining the peace and stability of the world.” 

The PLO member thanked that UN Security Council members who voted yesterday in favor of the UNSC resolution on al-Quds.

“We convey our gratitude to the fourteen UN Security Council members who voted yesterday in favor of the UNSC resolution reaffirming all previous resolutions on al-Quds and rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize al-Quds as Israel’s capital.  Such a principled and unified position reiterates the commitment of the international community to protect international law and to maintain the requirements of peace,” Dr. Ashrawi said.

It is worth noting that the U.S. has used – since 1946- its veto 43 times against UNSC resolutions on the Zionist entity [Israel] in order to back this entity.

Basma Qaddour