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We cannot accept status quo because it destroys two state solution: Palestinian PM

Xinhua, December 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamdallah said Sunday that the Palestinian side must not accept the continuation of status quo in the Palestinian territories because "it destroys the two state solution."

Al-Hamdallah said during a meeting with an Australian delegation headed by Australian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo in his office in the west Bank city of Ramallah that in case status quo continues "the situation will end in a one state with an Apartheid system," pointing out that "what is needed now is a genuine peace partner."

Al-Hamdallah called in an emailed press statement on the international community to intervene immediately and seriously to oblige Israel "to stop its violations and end the occupation."

He reiterated the commitment of the Palestinian leadership to the two states solution on the borders of 1967, highlighting that the Palestinian request to halt settlement construction in order to revive the peace process is "is not considered as pre conditions as Israel claims."

The issue of settlements is considered one of the most complicates issues of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and a reason for freezing peace talks between the two sides.

The Palestinian Prime Minister underscored that settlement activity is illegal under International Humanitarian Law and all relevant UN resolutions.

He also briefed the delegation on the "Israeli violations against Palestinians, especially the continuation of killings, arrests and settlement expansion," highlighting that Israel has "demolished nearly 1000 structures since the beginning of this year in areas classified as area (C), most of which are funded by international donors, besides banning Palestinians from utilizing those areas and keeping them under Israeli m military rule."

According to the interim Oslo Accords signed between The PLO and Israel in 1993, the West Bank is divided into three zones: A, B, and C, with Area (A) being under Palestinian control, (B) being under Israeli security control and Palestinian Administrative control, and (C) being under full Israeli control. Area (C) makes up more than 60 percent of the West Bank. Endit