Friday, October 28, 2011

In Detroit, ambassador makes case for Palestinian nation

Maen Rashid Areikat, Palestinian ambassador to the U.S.
http://www.freep.com/article/20111028/NEWS05/110280389/In-Detroit-ambassador-makes-case-Palestinian-nation
Visiting metro Detroit, the Palestinian ambassador to the U.S. called Thursday for the recognition of a Palestinian nation and "an end to the occupation," saying that Palestinians deserve the right to have their own country.

"We are fed up," said Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat, the Palestine Liberation Organization's representative to the U.S. "We are sick and tired that things are not moving forward. ... The status quo cannot continue."

Areikat spoke Thursday to the Free Press editorial board and earlier at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Last month, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas approached the United Nations to ask for support in declaring a Palestinian nation.

Areikat echoed Abbas' views, saying that it's time that Palestinians are recognized. And he said that the recent Arab uprisings should be a "cause of alarm for the Israelis" because Arab leaders "can no longer ignore the public sentiment" against Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undermined the peace process, he said. Areikat criticized Israel's government for continuing to build settlements that he said violate international agreements....READ MORE

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