Dr. Ashrawi On the Vote of the Italian Lower House of Parliament
PLO Executive Committee member, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi stated:
“We thank the members of Italy’s Lower House of Parliament for voting in favor of a motion from the Democratic Party of
Premier Matteo Renzi that supports “the goal of ...establishment of a Palestinian state.” It is unfortunate, however,
that the resolution did not commit to the unconditional and official recognition of the state of Palestine.
We are also dismayed by the second motion from the New Centre Right (NCD) that not only failed to mention the
recognition of a Palestinian state, but instead called for direct negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Our independence is not dependent on the outcome of negotiations, mutual recognition or other pre-conditions. We are
entitled to self-determination and to exercise sovereignty on our own land without permission from the occupying power.
We call on the Italian government to recognize the Palestinian state without conditions, to take serious and concrete
measures to end the military occupation and to work towards a just peace.
We also urge all parliaments and governments worldwide to officially recognize the independent Palestinian state on 1967
borders with Jerusalem as its capital and to bring Israel to account with punitive measures for its flagrant violations
of international law and war crimes against the Palestinian people."
ENDS