Solidarity movements force Israel to reveal its true face, says Erekat

Leading Palestinian Liberation Organisation official Saeb Erekat has condemned the “piracy operation” carried out by the Israeli navy against Freedom Flotilla III, including its hijacking of the Gaza-bound Marianne in international waters.

In a press release received by Quds Press on Tuesday, Erekat stressed that the aim of preventing solidarity movements from reaching Gaza sea port is to continue the occupation and siege imposed on the Gaza Strip. The Israelis are not only “isolating our people from the outside world” but also preventing them from exposing the impact of the siege to the world through international eyewitnesses.

“Although Israel is leading a propaganda campaign to mislead the international community that the Gaza Strip is no longer occupied,” said the veteran PLO negotiator, “the deceit will not work.”

The international community has become aware of the dangerous impact of the continued occupation on human rights and the whole of humanity, he added. “The solidarity activists have forced Israel to reveal its true face to the world.”

Erekat called on the international community and its official bodies and NGOs to accept their political and moral responsibilities. “They need to take a clear, responsible stance towards the Israeli violations,” he insisted. “Put an end to the Israeli piracy; put pressure on the occupying power to end the illegal and unethical blockade of the Gaza Strip and the rest of the land of the occupied Palestine state; and abide by the rules of international legitimacy.”