Coalition declares intention to run in upcoming PLC elections

The Initiative hails vital work of CPT in Iraq and Palestine and calls for the immediate release of the four hostages without harm

With his latest political manoeuvre, Sharon continues to ride the wave of post-disengagement glory that saw him hailed recently by British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a ‘war-hero-turned-peacemaker’.

The Palestinian National Initiative marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People with a press conference in its Ramallah offices. The conference was led by PNI General Secretary, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, who contrasted the threat posed to the existence of an independent, viable state by Israel’s Apartheid Wall, with upcoming elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council, which represent a form of non-violent resistance to Israel’s ongoing occupation.

A decade has passed since the Euro-Mediterranean partnership was launched in 1995. One of the key objectives behind the partnership was the desire to seek an end to the Palestine-Israel conflict, to promote dialogue, exchange and co-operation in political, social and economic matters, and to provide the two sides with a forum in which to do so.

The Palestinian National Initiative (PNI) today welcomed an unpublished report by the EU accusing Israel of violating international law and peace agreements, and jeopardizing the future of any peace process. According to details published in the Haaretz and Guardian newspapers, the report specifically addresses Israel’s long-term effort to transform the demographic and geographic realities of East Jerusalem in order to prevent it from becoming the capital of a Palestinian state.

Israel further demonstrated its lack of commitment to any peace process today with the announcement that it plans to construct a further 350 housing units in the West Bank settlement of Ma’ale Adumim.

Newly-elected Palestinian Legislative Council member, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, met today with Austria’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Ursula Plassnik. The meeting focused on the current situation in Palestine, including the continuing Israeli occupation and the results of January’s parliamentary elections.