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Erakat Statement On Destruction of Shepherd Hotel
Erakat Statement On Destruction of Shepherd Hotel
Erakat Statement On Destruction of Shepherd Hotel
January 9, 2011
Dr. Erakat on the demolition of the Shepherd Hotel in East Jerusalem: “Israel continues its
efforts to cleanse Jerusalem of its Palestinian inhabitants, heritage and history.”
Dr. Saeb Erakat, Chief Palestinian Negotiator, denounced today the Israeli demolition of the
Shepherd Hotel in Jerusalem, initiated at 5 am this morning.
“The State of Israel is demolishing one Palestinian property after another in an effort to cleanse
Jerusalem of its Palestinian inhabitants, heritage and history. East Jerusalem, and the Sheikh
Jarrah neighborhood in particular, have been targeted by Israel in a campaign to forcibly remove
Palestinians and supplant them with Jewish settlers. Such actions are unlawful and undermine the
two-state solution and the negotiations process.”
Dr. Erakat went on to say, “The United Nations and governments around the world, including the
United States and the United Kingdom have already condemned plans to demolish this particular
hotel. We call on the world to take a strong stand in defense of their positions. This intransigent and
illegal behavior on behalf of Israel must not be allowed to proceed unchecked.”
The Chief Palestinian Negotiator concluded, “What is happening today is part of the political
program of the Israeli government to preempt any solution on Jerusalem. While Netanyahu
continues his public relations campaign regarding the peace process, on the ground he is rapidly
moving to prevent the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state.” Dr. Erakat added, “Israel
continues to change the landscape of Jerusalem aiming to change its status and turn it into an
exclusive Jewish city. This process of cleansing and colonization must be stopped to change the dark
reality of Israeli occupation into a free and sovereign Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its
capital.”
Settlement plans in Sheikh Jarrah, similar to those in Silwan, Mount of Olives, Ras Al Amoud, Al
Issawiya and other neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, aim to create a ring of settlements severing the
Old City from the rest of occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank.”