The Orient House
1
February 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement by
the Palestinian National Movements in Jerusalem
Today at 12 p.m. in the National Palace Hotel in Arab
East Jerusalem, the Palestinian national movements in
Jerusalem held a press conference to convey the Palestinian
assessment of the recent Palestinian - Israeli talks in Taba. In
a seven-point statement, the speakers described the
Palestinian frustration with the suffocating environment that
was produced by the current peace process and the need to
forge a new process that will secure the rights of
Palestinians.
A Statement by
Palestinian National Movements in Jerusalem
1.
After 10 years of unfruitful negotiations with the
Israelis, the Intifada is the strategic option for the
Palestinian people in their aim to obtain national liberation
and a viable, independent state.
2.
The Palestinian national factions in Jerusalem stress
the importance of the continuation of the Palestinian popular
uprising but have no objections to the principle of
negotiations with Israel biding that countries, other than the
United States, be involved in the peace process.
3.
The Palestinian national factions announce that
Jerusalem is the Palestinian capital and categorically reject
any formula that accepts the Israeli settlements.
Moreover, we hereby reject any Israeli attempt to
continue the occupation in the city under any other name
including the "Holy Basin" concept.
Freedom of access to the holy sites and freedom of
religion for all people will be guaranteed in full by the
Palestinian State.
4.
The Palestinian national factions emphasize the
importance of the implementation of UN Resolution 194, which
outlines the right of Palestinians to return to their
homeland. This
right is sacred and there will be no compromise under any
circumstances.
5.
The Palestinian national factions in Jerusalem confirm
that peace will only result from an immediate withdrawal of
the Israeli occupation from the Palestinian and Arab
territories occupied in 1967.
This land must be returned to the Palestinian and Arab
people in accordance with UN Resolutions 242 and 338.
6.
The Palestinian national factions believe that any
negotiation that does not include the establishment of an
independent and viable Palestinian State within the borders of
June the 4th 1967 will never lead to a lasting
peace.
7.
The resistance of the Intifada is unbreakable and will
defeat every incoming Israeli Prime Minister unless they
address the roots of the conflict and recognize the
Palestinian national rights.
The speakers included Salah Zouheikah,
Secretary General of Fatah in Jerusalem District and Member of
the Palestinian National Council, Ahmed Ghneim of the Fatah
Revolutionary Council and Fatah Higher Committee, Ghassan
Khatib of the Palestinian Peoples Party, Abdel Atif Gheith of
the Palestinian Popular Front, Nihad Abu Ghosh of the
Palestinian Democratic Front, Fadel Thaboub of the Nidal
Front.
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