Erekat warns of massacres in run up to Israel elections

PLO Secretary-General Saeb Erekat yesterday warned that the Israeli occupation could carry out massacres against the Palestinians to fuel electoral campaigns.

Speaking to the official PA radio, Palestine Voice, he said that the Israeli electoral campaign would be “at the expense of the Palestinian blood,” expecting the occupation to demolish Khan Al-Ahmar and carry out “more crimes”.

Erekat stressed on the importance of urgent EU action against the Israeli violations in light of the ongoing developments in Israel.

Early elections are expected to be called in Israel following the shock resignation of defence minister Avigdor Lieberman last week.

The Netanyahu government currently holds a 66-seat majority in the 120 member Knesset. Of those 66, eight seats are held by Jewish Home party which is headed by Naftalli Bennett.

Bennett had warned that if he was not handed the Defence Ministry he would pull his party out of the coalition forcing the government to collapse.

READ: Netanyahu urges coalition partners not to bring down government