PLO Chief Erekat calls for boycott of US embassy inauguration in Jerusalem

Ramallah: Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat called on all representatives of states, including members of the diplomatic corps, civil society organizations and religious authorities, to boycott the opening ceremony of the US embassy in Jerusalem.
In a meeting with foreign diplomats here on Monday, Erekat said the opening of the American embassy in Jerusalem violates international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
“By recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving its embassy thereto, the (US President Donald) Trump administration is violating its obligations under international law, including UN Security Council Resolution 478, and the US own commitments towards the peace process,” the PLO chief said.
“As Washington pursues a policy of encouragement of international anarchy and disregard for organizations and international law, we call upon all diplomatic corps, civil society organizations, and religious authorities to boycott the inauguration ceremony of the US embassy in Jerusalem, lest they lend legitimacy to an illegal decision and to continued Israeli policies of occupation, colonization and annexation,” he added.
Erekat warned that this move “is not only illegal but will also thwart the achievement of a just and lasting peace between two sovereign and democratic states on the 1967 borders, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. Those who attend the ceremony will thus be sending an ominous message, a message that they encourage flagrant violations of international law and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.”
The West Jerusalem municipality started Monday putting up road signs for the US embassy, which will be located where the current visa section of the US consulate is located in an area close to pre-1967 armistice line.
AB/UNA-OIC