By IRNA,
London : A Palestinian official says the Palestinian Authority does not expect much from the American government to put pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel is under protection of Jewish lobby in Washington.
Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian Ambassador to Britain, told IRNA that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was trying to pay “lip service” to Barack Obama during his recent US visit.
He added that Netanyahu was trying to “reduce pressures” by the Obama administration with regards to the recent announcement by Israel to build more settlements in occupied territories.
In his recent visit to the US, the Israeli prime minister was humiliated by Obama who refused to pose for a photograph in the White House, withdrew from having dinner with Netanyahu in private and walked out of his meeting—rare diplomatic gestures a head of government could have ever received by a US president.
Hassassian said Netanyahu, under the support by “AIPAC (America’s Pro-Israel Lobby) and some US congressmen”, was trying to pay lip service to the United States by “offering to remove some checkpoints and possibly release some Palestinian prisoners,” he said, adding that the Israeli government will never rescind from settlement expansions.
He said we cannot see an “honest third-party peace broker” in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict unless America takes a “firm stance” with regards to Israel.
“Unfortunately Israel is above the law. As far as Israel is protected by superpowers such as the US, we cannot see an honest third part peace broker. If Obama does not adopt a firm stance with regards to Israeli expansion of illegal settlements, even proximity talks will not succeed.”
Hassassian said Israel is “sparing no moment” in building more settlements in the Palestinian lands, destroying any chance of progress in peace negotiations.
“There are no peace talks but peace efforts. In Netanyahu’s dictionary, there is no word for Palestinians as he is the representative of the extreme ideological right wing in Israel. This is a very dangerous government in a very dangerous time.”
Referring to continued Israeli violation of international relations, the Palestinian ambassador said Israel is not fulfilling its obligations regarding previous peace process agreements and only aims to “escalate the situation on the ground” by the declaration of settlement expansions.
“This administration [in Israel] has not any intention of reconciliation with the Palestinians. We need Americans to stop military assistance to Israel and abandon any mutual trade relations. Divestment and sanctions are the only language Israel will understand there is no other choice but to continue negotiations.”
Hassassian added that as far as Palestinians are under occupation, no peace negotiations can yield success.
“[Palestinian] people who are suffering under occupation should decide if they want resistance. We are not against resistance but we oppose violence. We do not want to give excuses to Israelis to destroy the West Bank as they did in Gaza. We want peace negotiations. If it doesn’t work, there are other options.”