PLO does not know why Canada is so hostile

PLO Executive Committee member Dr. Saeb Erekat has condemned threats made by Canada’s Foreign Minister John Baird that his country would cut off its aid to the Palestinian Authority if it seeks membership of the International Criminal Court. “We do not know why Canada is showing all this hostility against us,” said Erekat in a media statement. “Those who fear international courts should force Israel to end its crimes.”

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Baird made his threat during a speech to the annual conference of North America’s largest pro-Israel lobby group, AIPAC, in Washington DC. He said that “Palestine will feel severe results if they [sic] continue their efforts to prosecute Israel before the International Criminal Court.”

In response, veteran negotiator Dr. Erekat asked if the Canadian Foreign Minister actually knows what Israel is doing to the Palestinians, with levels of racism and discrimination which did not even occur in South Africa.

“Canada should reconsider its calculations,” added Erekat. “It is responsible for itself and its minister’s remarks, so if Baird’s statement is contrary to the law then the Canadian people should reject it.”