Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, strongly denounced statements made by Australian FM, Julie Bishop, who criticized what she called “European pressure on Israel’.Bishop recently lashed out on officials and countries of the European Union for trying to pressure Israel into halting its settlement construction and expansion activities in occupied Palestine.
Dr. Ashrawy said that the shift in Australia’s Foreign Policy is very serious, and contradicts international resolutions and treaties, including International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention, regarding the legality of Israel’s settlements.
“I would like to remind the Australian government that International Law, and International Humanitarian Law, deem all settlements illegal”, the Palestinian official said, “Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and Article 43 of the International Court clearly state Israel is violating international laws by its illegitimate settlement activities”.
She urged Australia to reconsider its stances, and its overt support to Israel’s illegitimate settlement activities, and said that the settlements are preventing the establishment of an independent, viable, Palestinian state.
“I urge Australian officials to study the articles of International Law”, Dr. Ashrawy stated. “Such policies violate International Law, all principles of justice and human rights”.
