PN Member Elmar Brok Meets with PLO Member Hanan Ashrawi

PLO Executive Committee member Dr. Hanan Ashrawi met on Wednesday, with German Member of the European Parliament and the current Chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, Elmar Brok, PLO Executive Committee said in a press release.

Dr. Ashrawi highlighted the importance of the European Union position on the June 4, 1967 boundaries, including Jerusalem, its conclusions on settlements, and the latest advisory banning dealings with Israeli settlements:

"Such commitments contribute to the achievement of a just peace on the basis of international law."

Dr. Ashrawi stressed, "We also applaud the European Parliament's decision to send a fact-finding mission to investigate the conditions of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, particularly the two recent deaths of Palestinians in detention, the ill-treatment of children and women prisoners, and Israel's continued use of administration detention and torture. This will serve as a significant curb to prevent further injustice and torture of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails."

Dr. Ashrawi specifically asked for European intervention pertaining to Israel's continued imprisonment of Palestinian parliamentarians, in particular Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Sa'dat, and requested that Israel respect international norms dealing with the immunity of elected officials.

Dr. Ashrawi also discussed the latest political developments in Palestine; she emphasized the imperative of Israel's implementation of signed agreements, especially the release all 103 prisoners detained prior to 1994 and the reopening of Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem.

She added, "Israel must also abide by the June 4, 1967 boundaries as the basis for negotiations, and cease all violations of international law, including all settlement activities."

"All attempts at restarting negotiations must ensure adherence to international law and the principles of justice and fairness. The occupation is a perpetual situation of oppression and injustice, and it must be brought to a rapid end," concluded Dr. Ashrawi.

PN Member Elmar Brok is Chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs. On 22-24 July, he travelled to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories for meetings with Israeli and Palestinian authorities.The first part of his visit was dedicated to meetings with Israeli authorities. Mr Brok held meetings with (i) Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, (ii) Ms Tzipi Livni, Minister of Justice responsible for peace negotiations with the Palestinians, and (iii) Mr Ze'ev Elkin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr Brok also held meetings at the Knesset and met with Members of Knesset Isaac Herzog, Ronen Hoffman and Nachman Shai. The second part of he visit was dedicated to meetings with Palestinian authorities. Mr Brok met with (i) Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, (ii) Mr Saeb Erekat, Chief Negotiator for peace negotiations with the Israelis, (iii) Ms Hanan Ashrawi, Member of the PLO Executive Committee and (iv) Mr Issa Qaraqeh, Minister for Prisoners.

Originally published by Palestine News Network.

Photo by PalFest.