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September 4, 2014

Palestinians to Seek Security Council Deadline for End to Occupation; Poll Shows Hamas Surge 
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A top Palestinian lawmaker says Palestinians will ask the United Nations
Security Council to impose a three-year deadline for Israel to end the
occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Speaking at the United Nations,
Hanan Ashrawi said the Palestinian Authority will push for an end to the
occupation as well as for International Criminal Court jurisdiction.
Ashwari dismissed the threat of losing U.S. government support.

Hanan Ashrawi: "We will be seeking a Security Council resolution on
ending the occupation within that specified date. And any solution must
be based on international law, cannot violate international law and U.N.
conventions and agreements. If the U.S. wants to isolate itself as a
reaction to Palestinians joining the international community, then they
are welcome to do that. The American funding is not that essential to
Palestinian survival. Quite often, joining the international community,
having the protection of the law and so on is much more important than
getting some funding from Congress that is conditional. ... Enough is
enough, and what has the U.S. done for us?"

Ashrawi's comments appear to mark the most forceful public repudiation
to date of the Obama administration's policy by a Palestinian leader
tied to President Mahmoud Abbas. A new poll this week shows Hamas has
surged in Palestinian public opinion since the Israeli assault on Gaza.
According to the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research,
Hamas would defeat Abbas' Fatah party by a wide margin if national
elections were held today.

 

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