RAMALLAH, Sept. 29 -- Senior Palestinian officials condemned the blatant bias of U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman for suggesting that only 2 percent of the West Bank is under Israeli occupation, the official news agency WAFA reported Friday.
"The U.S. ambassador to Israel has proved once again that he is completely removed from reality," Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Executive Committee of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), was quoted as saying.
In a recent interview with the Israeli media, Friedman suggested that only 2 percent of the West Bank is occupied by Israel.
"In addition to his long-standing support for Israeli settlements, and after referring to the 'alleged occupation' of Palestinian land, he has the audacity to maintain that Israel occupies only 2 percent of the West Bank and that illegal settlements that carve, annex and steal Palestinian land are part of Israel," Ashrawi said.
Ashrawi noted that Friedman continued to visit illegal Jewish settlements and even joined the Israeli celebrations in June marking the occupation of Palestinian land in 1967.
"Not only does the ambassador break from long-standing US policy, he is also at odds with the international legal, political and moral consensus," she said.
Friedman's positions reflect the settlers' ideology in Israel's right-wing coalition government rather than that of successive administrations that have claimed to be invested in peace, Ashrawi noted.
"The occupation exists. Settlements are illegal under international law and constitute a war crime. These facts and realities are not in question," she maintained.
She urged the U.S. government ho hold Friedman accountable for his remarks and his "consistently outrageous and morally repugnant attitude, actions and statements."
Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the PLO Executive Committee Saeb Erekat also criticized Friedman's latest statements about Israel "occupying only 2 percent of the West Bank."
He said Friedman's remarks is not only false and misleading, but also contradict international law, UN resolutions, and also the historical U.S. position.
"Israel is internationally recognized as the occupying power over 100 percent of Palestine, including in and around Occupied East Jerusalem," Erekat said.
"Such positions undermine ongoing efforts towards achieving a just and lasting peace between Israel and Palestine on the 1967 border," he added.
体坛英语资讯:Steelers overcomes Cardinals for sixth Super Bowl title
体坛英语资讯:Xiamen Intl Marathon begins on seaside scenic course
体坛英语资讯:Aston Villa edges Hull 1-0
体坛英语资讯:Hernanes elected best Brazilian soccer player of 2008
体坛英语资讯:Tottenham Spurs upsets Wigan 3-1 in English FA Cup
体坛英语资讯:Atletico Madrid sack coach Aguirre
体坛英语资讯:Fred frustrates Brazilian teams by staying with Lyon
体坛英语资讯:Alkmaar, Ajax both victorious, but in different fashions
体坛英语资讯:Bibby hits a buzzer beater to ground Rockets
体坛英语资讯:English clubs splash big on transfers
体坛英语资讯:Barcelona sets midterm record in Spains matchday 19
体坛英语资讯:Russian coach Hiddink close to Chelsea job
体坛英语资讯:Serena Williams takes fourth Australian Open title
体坛英语资讯:Messi expresses disagreement with Basile
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrid coach Ramos no need for more signings
体坛英语资讯:Somalia stuns Tanzania 1-0 at CECAFA Challenge Cup
体坛英语资讯:OGrady: Lance doesnt have a chance
体坛英语资讯:Ray Allen to replace Nelson in NBA All-Star game
体坛英语资讯:Giggs solo sends United back top
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrid president Boluda promises July elections
体坛英语资讯:Lakers make big statement in OT win over Celtics
体坛英语资讯:Mallorca goalie Moya suffers injury setback
体坛英语资讯:Rollins fails to catch Villegas
体坛英语资讯:Nadal wins epic to reach Australian Open final
体坛英语资讯:Scolari sacked as Chelsea manager
体坛英语资讯:South Korea declares bid for 2018 or 2022 World Cup
体坛英语资讯:Hewitt set to leave Australia
体坛英语资讯:Russia ensures 2-0 lead over China in Fed Cup quarterfinal
体坛英语资讯:Spaniard Roma wins 13th stage on cars
体坛英语资讯:Chinas figure skating duo Pang, Tong defend Four Continents pairs trophy