The Embassy of Palestine in Harare has condemned Israeli’s pursuit of punitive measures and sanctions against Palestine aimed at thwarting its socio-economic and political prospects.
The embargoes included withholding US$39 million from its tax revenues, freezing construction plans to benefit Palestinians in West Bank’’s Area C.
In a statement, Palestine Ambassador to Zimbabwe Tamer Almassri said Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Riyad al-Malik was part of the targeted members and other leaders, including the Palestine United Nations representative Dr Riyad H. Mansour for championing diplomatic and legal campaigns against Israeli apartheid government.
This comes after the UN General Assembly last week approved a resolution that calls on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue a legal opinion on the consequences of apartheid Israel’’s occupation of the Palestinian territories.
“These measures are a flagrant violation of apartheid Israel’s obligations as an occupying power, and a persistence in Israel’s rebellion against international law and efforts to avoid accountability for its crimes against humanity,” said Mr Almassri.
He said they were determined to continue exposing Israel’s machinations at all cost.
“The Palestinian people and its leadership will continue to expose Israel’s racist and apartheid policies that it implements against the Palestinian people at whatever the cost at all international forums,” said Mr Almassri.
“Instead of Israel imposing punitive sanctions against innocent Palestinians, the occupying state is the one that should be punished for its violations and rebellion against international law and resolutions of international legitimacy, and that these measures targeting the Palestinian leadership, the Palestinian National Authority and all our people will not be discouraged from continuing the struggle to provide international protection for its citizens and to put an end to Israel’s continued impunity on the international stage,” he said.
Mr Almassri expressed resentment over all forms of apartheid vices the Palestinians were suffering at the hands of Israel.
“The measures adopted by Israel insisting they lay bare that this apartheid state is worse than those previously in Africa which banned, arrested, jailed and killed political leaders and freedom fighters as well as looting its resources,” he said.
“Palestine will continue all the political, diplomatic and legal struggle to end the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine which is the last occupation of the 21st century,” said Mr Almassri.
Mr Almassri called on all African countries who fell victim from such machinations to file crimes to enable international law to take its course.
“We call on progressive nations which include African countries who have suffered at the hands of brutal apartheid regimes like Israel to hold it accountable for its crimes and to ensure that Israel ceases its sanctions against the Palestinian people and submit to the rules-based international order or be prepared to receive the treatment owed to pariah states. Israel cannot continue to act like a state above international law hence it’s time to be held accountable now,” he said.
He said the international community had the responsibility to confront Israel to desist from bullying other states and to respect international law.
“The international community should demand that the occupying power of Israel respect international law and to tolerate accountability.
“Apartheid must stop forthwith its bullying tactics when faced with any dilemma of being held accountable by the international community. Israel must be confronted with unequivocal international measures that stand on principle and affirm the obligation of all states to comply with the law, including facing accountability when warranted,” said Mr Almassri. – The Herald
