Hanan Ashrawi: Dr. Saeb Erekat will be remembered for his tireless dedication to peace and freedom

The member of the PLO Executive Committee Dr. Hanan Ashrawi has mourned the passing of Dr. Saeb Erekat, the Secretary General of the PLO Executive Committee.

She said in a statement sent on Tuesday to the Syria Times e-newspaper: “It is with great sadness and sorrow that we received news of the passing of Dr. Saeb Erekat, the Secretary General of the PLO Executive Committee, due to complications from the COVID19 virus. Our thoughts are now with Dr. Saeb’s immediate family and loved ones.

“Today, we mourn the loss of a dear colleague and a Palestinian patriot; someone who loved life and fought hard to secure a life of freedom for himself and his people. Personally, I mourn the loss of a friend and colleague with whom I worked since the 1980s in pursuit of our people’s unassailable right to a life of dignity, justice, freedom, and rights, free from the brutality of Israel’s domination and military occupation,” she added.

Ashrawi asserted that Dr. Saeb dedicated his life to the service of the Palestinian people and cause.

“He was part of many historic milestones in our people’s ongoing struggle for liberation. Dr. Erekat will be remembered for his indefatigable and tireless dedication and commitment to achieving peace and freedom for the Palestinian people. He will be missed by his colleagues, the Palestinian people, and many around the world,” she clarified.

She concluded by saying: “We hope that Dr. Saeb’s family will find strength and solace in the outpouring of genuine empathy and grief from his fellow compatriots and friends around the world. May he rest in eternal peace and power.”

Basma Qaddour