Transcripts For CSPAN2 PLO Ambassador Human Zomlot 20180201

Communicate expectations while to me and my peers, they have the ability to plant seeds for the future. You can watch this entire Program Online at cspan. Org. Type in Reagan National defense foreign in the search bar on the home page. We will go live now to hear from the general delegation of the plo to the United States talking about palestinians and u. S. Foreign policy. Live coverage on cspan2. I welcome you all here today including everyone watching on our live stream. Its also an honor to introduce and welcome our distinguished speaker, ambassador zomlot who will be speaking about the latest developments and steps for palestinians on the diplomatic and palate and inference. As we know, President Trump recently announced his decision to recognize jerusalem as the undivided capital of israel along with plans to move the u. S. Industry into jerusalem. This is a major change in official u. S. Policy and with jerusalem being such a core issue for palestinians, and this has severe implications for future peace negotiations and for any interest talks with the Trump Administration recently made the unprecedented step of withholding millions of dollars in humanitarian aid for political reasons, which will of course impact Critical Service needed for refugees. In light of these decisions, ambassador husam zomlot will speak about the latest Development Taking place including working within the framework of International Law and through other diplomatic evidence. A little bit about the ambassador. He currently serves as the head of the plo to the United States and strategic adviser to palestinian president mahmoud abbas. The palestinian presidency and charged affair of the Palestinian Mission to the united kingdom. He was elected to the five top council and served as director of the Foreign Relations commission. Ambassador zomlot holds a phd from the university of london and served as professor of Public Policy where he cofounded and shared the school of government. He also held teaching positions at Harvard University and the university of london. His professional experiences include working as an economist for the United Nations and economic researcher at the London School of economics and the Palestine Economic Policy Research institute. Ambassador zomlot is also married and has two children. The ambassador will speak for 30 to 40 minutes after which we will have a q a session. We ask that you please wait for the microphone to come by so that everyone online can hear you. For the online audience, you can ask questions through twitter. You can tweet them to the palestine center. Without further ado, please join me in giving a warm welcome to ambassador husam zomlot. [applause] thank you very much. And thank you all for coming today in this event is a testament to how much you care about the issue of Palestine Committee issue of justice and i see many friends in this room. It is an utmost honor for me personally today to be here. And the privilege to speak at an institution founded by the palestinian scholar, mr. Salami. Both highly respect. Academic paved the way for the palestinian American Experience by providing a framework for advancing the palestinian rights in the u. S. And within the u. S. Civil society. For us, this is important to say taking this opportunity with the icon of perseverance, we are a people that know too well the price of being forcibly expelled from our homeland, yet it is institutions like this that have kept us strong and to gather all these years under direct their for this very important place to take this opportunity on behalf of the people in the leadership of palestine to thank you for the many years of service and for the Palestinian People. Thank you can i give a hand please. [applause] and i know you are much more interested in President Trumps remarks recently on the announcement decision to recognize jerusalem as its own capital in the decision to move the u. S. Embassy to jerusalem than ever since then several particular in the political sphere serving the political process in the palestinian u. S. Relationship and a lot of commotion i have to say on what will happen next. I wanted to clarify some key points, where we stand at this point in time and describe what we think of the options in front of us. Because this is not just about what is happening. It is also about what might happen in the future in her collect his thinking and im certain that most of you want to know about where we are going, where we are today and how do we intend to reach that destination. What is crucial for us at this point in time is that we, no matter what is our strategy, what is our next stab, we must base these steps on very clear principles, pillars of our journey. From the very beginning, we outline our commitments that should shape and inspire and hear as we all care about palestine in the region and want a Bright Future for all the people of the region, palestinians among ourselves they differ on the roads, demand from the tools, but we definitely do not differ on our object is. We are united on where we need to reach. But it is important at this point in time to call a spade a spade and that situation the way it is, not the way we wish it to be. For a doctor doesnt treat cancer by ignoring or pretending to be a fluke. And i also have the flu so sorry about my voice. Of course, it is human nature to be afraid. All of us got to be concerned about the lack of clarity. Especially at these times of uncertainty. We dont like not knowing and we dont like not having control and we dont like to feel inadequate. All of us. But as we centered human beings, as was possible citizens and as the whole with their cause and a calling, we must garner her strength, especially now at this point in time. And we embark on facing headon by conquering our fears. We as a nation in our believe that ultimately we will reach an achieve. We must be cautious but fearless about the future. And before i delve into those, i want to reiterate our positions. The palestinian position and the leadership of palestine, to make sure that what they say is taken with that backdrop or frame of reference if you will. Number one, we are committed to International Law. We are committed to international religions. We dont do this out of a need for favor with anyone, but of solid conviction and the importance of respecting and maintaining the international order. No matter how difficult and delicate that order may seem at times and it is definitely not an especially as we speak. In a world that is becoming evermore interconnect good and interdependent, isolationism becomes a recipe for anarchy. We are the people of palestine and the leadership of palestine. We are for internationalism. We are for multilateralism. For us, International Law and consensus and International Resolutions we use the following three key principles as far as palestine is concerned. Israels occupation that began in 1967 months and that is included clearly in the u. N. Security Council Resolutions 242338 all the way to one year ago the u. N. Security Council Resolution 2334. Emphasizing all of these resolutions and the inadmissibility of the acquisition, the national law is clear. Second principle that we had here as far as the International Side of the story is start pushing a sovereign independent state of palestine on the liberated territory, including East Jerusalem always complete as the capital of the states of palestine. This is not what we say. This is what the successive International Resolutions, including the u. S. Cosponsoring cosponsoring [inaudible] [applause] the third principle, resolving the issue of Palestinian Refugees. More than 6 million of them today. I was born in the refugee camp and our president , president abbas included. The issue of refugees is the origin of the palace tinian influence, the hallmark and there is also clarity in International Law, International Resolution with refugees Come International responsibility and we are no exception. There are so many other issues including kosovo so we want to consider the issue of refugees. And not only we accept and recognize and adhere to International Legitimacy, but by this. We have done our part. In 1988, declaring an independent state of palestine in 1967 borders. That was implementing International Legitimacy. By recognizing in 1993 for the state of israel on the night in 67. However, we did not recognize israel, which since 1967, did not stop for a day expanding its illegal colombian expansion. The question is not when will there be peace in the middle east. When International Resolutions more than u. N. Security Council Resolutions for palace kind, on palestine, on the country, im implemented. More than 700 new resolutions, im implemented good the question is what International Resolutions will be a demented, then these will prevail. And let us be absolutely crystal clear. The two state solution was not for negotiations. We would not accept the National Resolutions to negotiate. We accepted International Resolutions for implementation of International Law. It was never up for further compromise. We would never negotiate ending occupation for establishing a sovereign state with the principle of the right of return for negotiations. We were looking for mechanisms for implementation. And our acceptance of International Resolutions was not her, at her palestinian demand. The International Community proceedings 78 will deliver peace. The second commitment after International Law and International Assistance is our commitment to nonviolence. We believe our demands are reasonable and our time has come Popular Resistance, Mouse Movement is what we are adopting. And it is not a coincidence Ayatollah Khomeini is not an icon. It is not the peaceful Popular Resistance have been harmed over the last few years. You have seen that dignified mass prayer in jerusalem only a few months ago in july. Our mindset, our culture, our decisionmaking processes is crucial that we engage. We maintain the moral high ground in the entire nation of palestine. And it is also our right and obligation to deliver the International Political resistance. It is our obligation. We have to avert the u. N. Security council. To all the international, political and legal. We are not joining the mafia. We are joining the u. N. So our ability to resist using International Mechanisms is a right and an obligation and we will not let go of this process. With all the difficulties is the democratic process in palestine. To build our state institutions as well, we will not let go been on the ground. And we will not let go of our most important weapon but the legitimacy of their presentation. People sacred right to vote for representatives. I know what has happened over the last years, this sounds difficult. The difficult it is, it is not a choice for us. Difficult it is, we cannot revert back to the people. I know that the reconciliation process has been flawed to the recent agreement in cairo. Sometimes national processes need time, specially when the issues are good, crucial, sometimes taking time and might be actually a good indicator. We are delving deep and we are not rushing only for the sake of striking a deal. But for every palestinian, we know without our unity we can disagree. Without our unity and the political sense, our situation would be much more difficult. There was one agreement in cairo several months ago between all the palestinian political factions. That agreement was to convene National Elections by the end of 28 team, this year. Hopefully this will happen and hopefully we will all converse. But believe you me, with all the difficulties we face, our commitment at the Democratic Political system must be unwavering. We cannot face all the challenges if we dont have the power to people. But let me move very quickly to the sixth of december, 2017 and the announcement by President Trump which in our opinion has violated three major commitments. The first is the u. S. Longheld policy. President truman on the sixth of december, the u. S. Policy has been very clear the u. N. Security Council Resolutions, 2338, the ending of occupation, that is always considering occupation to be illegal. That was on the longheld u. S. Policy. The second violation is of President Trump himself because since we started the discussion of this administration and we were saying that it is important that you return to the longheld u. S. Policy about the two state solution, the international controls, they would tell us that they both want to impose anything on any part. They would tell us they want to dictate. They want the two sides to decide. So when you promise that a new start seeking an issue, the core of the issue, jerusalem and refugees has to do with the issues of refugees [inaudible] and the third is not to predetermined predetermined outcome of the negotiations. And if you remember what the president said in davos only last week to jerusalem was the most difficult issue. It is the sticking point. That is why it is the most difficult. For us, jerusalem is not just a city. It is our identity. It is our national hub in every sense, in the historic sense, the religious sense, the cultural sense. It is even our hub for services, medical services or education. And jerusalem is a city with alan. It is a claim from below, from the ground, from the roots, and the hundreds of thousands of palace indians in jerusalem. Every church, every mosque. There are four things that President Trump mentioned in step three. The first is taking of jerusalem are taking jerusalem off the table. We say this and we say it again today. President trump has taken it off altogether. No palestinian would set on that table. No palestinian will set on not table. I want to see any leader who can look us in the eye and say they represent the people of palace nine. I want to see any arab leader who say they can do it at such a table. We the Palestinian People might not be the strongest of nations, but we know are right and we know the limit and we know exactly when to say no and we are the only agency that represents. You want to go and serve somewhere else . Good luck. The piece is that the people of palestine. And with the leadership of palestine. No matter where else you are going to look, no matter how many transpire conspiracies. In the second that was mentioned by the president as we walked away from a negotiation. What negotiation . Since we engage President Trump, we have been saying this as an opportunity. There is never enough for negotiation or a timeline of engagement. There is no plan. But this is a movie we have seen many times. The palestinians walked away. We have been on the table for 26 years. There is no issue that has been negotiated more than i issue. Too much negotiations. We did not, mr. President walk away from negotiations. It is the administration that has walked away from the table because there will not be any without the key principles. The administration took the chair and left the room altogether. We are here. Weve got nowhere. We leave nothing. The third thing he mentioned that the palestinians have been disrespectful. We have been respectful of four things. The first is our own people. The same respect for us, the Palestinian People first and we have a vivid nation, very active nation, rooted, diverse. The people of palestine we are for. The second term with respect to the international process. By refusing these terms. The third respect we have done is to the u. S. Longheld policy and to the majority of the American People, who according to all polls have been against the u. S. Decision and the u. S. Administration. That has been there for so many years. We appreciate everything. But that something was not really, i guess the funding was part of a u. S. Vision. That funding was part of a u. S. Commitment. That funding was part of a u. S. Interest. That funding was part of an international and u. S. Obligations. That makes sense that the u. S. Funds its own vision of building two states. The u. S. Has invested in the infrastructure of peace for all these years. And we appreciate it. But financial pressure doesnt work. Especially when it comes to people like ours. It doesnt work. Its been tried before. It didnt work, and it will not work this time. If it does anything, it adds to our sense of pride and sense of resilience, if you may come against this. For political agendas cannot be implemented by means of political pressure or weaponizing aid, if you may, is that a term i can use . It doesnt work. Weaponizing Financial Assistance doesnt work. And then after the u. S. Freezes funding from all over, i mean, denying Peoples Education and healthcare, i was educated at a school. And they have been able to turn a catastrophic situation into this catastrophic, only a little less catastrophic. Even people entered likely of the time have the opportunity, the platform to be educated and to lead a different future jerk but please go back to that now his remarks including very recently and youll find the actual vicious attack. Netanyahu said that [inaudible] the issue, so he thinks, netanyahu, by dismantling, the issue of refugees will vanish. A fallacy but it does exist in his head, that fallacy. I have news to netanyahu and to the Israeli Government. Whether on it exists or not, the right of millions of Palestinian Refugees are not linked to achieving their internationally endorsed funds. Thats the first news. So it is there to sustain the living until their rights. And the second, our commitment is firm and International Communities commitment is firm. And under no circumstances they will fail to uphold its own responsibility. I received representative from senior representatives in office only a couple of days ago and the mainstay that i received is their commitment and mandate will be there. Okay, we are here today so lets go back to the original statement by President Trump. In his first meeting with Prime Minister netanyahu in february, President Trump said, and i quote, one state, two states, i am happy with whatever the two sides are happy with. He said that. And we agree with him. We agree with them. We agree with President Trump. There are only two possible solutions. Hes right. Either partition two states on the 1967 borders, not even based on the 1967 borders if thats the first which has been endorsed the International Community and the u. S. Successive administrations. Or a one state that is democratic and that gives equal rights for all of its citizens, regardless of the color or creed or religion or language. Full equal rights in their store clan of palestine. Thats the second option. President trump is right. We now, the people and the leadership, i with the twostate solution on the 1967 borders. We are with the for implementation, not for negotiations. We are with you because we believe possible knowing that in israel its of a one state solution. We are still with it. However, we realize that netanyahus actively seeks to destroy not on the present possibility of a twostate solution on the 1967 borders, but actually the future discussion of the solution altogether. The netanyahu government is involved in removing the tracks of the twostate solution. How else would you interpret the ruling parties decision only a few weeks ago to annex the west bank . How else do we translate the knesset passing law not to negotiate jerusalem and less 80 members vote, which is practically an impossibility . Oslo was passed by only 61 votes, the threshold. How else do we explain that netanyahu has taken pride only a few months ago publicly that he is the first Prime Minister in israel in 20 years to build a new settlement deep in the west bank . So proud of it. How else do you explain what he said only two days ago, two or three days ago, when he went to offer a new roll deep in the occupied territory . Deep in the west bank. What did he say . Netanyahu said, this settler only bypass road is part of the system of settler bypass roads that are building throughout judea and samaria. Which is the occupied west bank. That serves the residence, settlers, of judea and samaria, and the residence of the state of israel, i. E. , linking the west bank to israel via a system of infrastructure and a system of roads. This is not a government that is rejecting the twostate solution by words. This is a government that is rejecting the twostate solution id needs, action, every day. Murdering the possibility, burying it deep underground. And it is not circumstantial evidence we are talking about. Its clear, its unambiguous. And people forget just not to focus on on the netanyahu government. People forget that the israeli Prime Minister back then came kicking and screaming to the middle east peace conference. It was only after president bush senior, father, threatened to withhold 10 billion that he came kicking and screaming jerk and he famously said back then that, by the way, shamir is netanyahus mentor. This is something netanyahu says. I would have conducted negotiations on autonomy for ten years, and in the meantime we would have reached half a million settlers. That was 1991. In the west bank, he was right on the number of settlers, even exceeded the half a million, much more exceeded the half a million. They did better. They store more land than shamir expected. They had more towns tense thanr expected 25 days ago, or 26 years. Towns. But he was wrong on the number of years. It wasnt ten years. They kept us in this process for 26 years, but with the same logic. Palestinians walk out of negotiations while they were doing the real job. The real intention. They wanted to establish a process that was lasting process, not lasting peace. They created a process that was actually designed to prevent the outcome. Designed to prevent the outcome. As far as were concerned, the twostate solution and the terms of the twostate solution are clear, and id like to repeat this. They are not up for negotiations. They are only up for implementations. And we are ready to set on an International Table, multilateral table, where the world sits there. This is not the exception. This is the rule. For all of the conflicts it was an International Table to implement International Resolutions. We were made the exception for 26 years. We were told first of all it was multilateralism. It requires multilateralism. Internationalism. South africa requires internationalism. I ran at hearing deal requires multilateralism. Except you, only the two sides can resolve the issue. One side that is clear about their intention when President Trump said that we are fine with the twostate solution, if the two sides wants it, effectively, we want it. We demand it. We endorse it. Effectively it gives the veto power to the party that is unwilling. No one can love peace more than the two sides. The whole idea is just to leave the two sides with this asymmetry of power in one room so its not a process of rights, that a process of [inaudible] its not a process of right but a process of might. We are done with that. 26 26 years is a generation, my generation actually here enough. Enough. And i think youre in the house of washington and in the palestine center, enough. Our rights are not up for sale here our principles are set in international leadership. And in the house of the millions of our people, and who love other people, i mean lets remember this is a very proud nation, very rooted. Everything started there. Dont blame us for all that. We exported to almost all profits, all the human community, as in jericho. Okay, so if this is the situation for the twostate solution, the first is that the current Israeli Government all the way back to shamir, and by the way not to just blame the right wing in israel, but the rightwing israel is very clear. Now all the partners to the right like israel and all these parties, they are very clear. They say what is yours is mine to what is mine is mine. What is yours is mine. They say it. Clearly, by the way. The centerleft in israel since we started the middle east Peace Process all the way from oslo to the roadmaps starting from what is mine and what is yours is negotiable. We will sit and negotiate what is yours. So all of israel never talk the 1967 formula as a formula for implementation but as appointment as a starting point for grabbing more. Unacceptable. Unacceptable. For a nation that has been able to conceive 78 of what its own land for the sake of peace, its unacceptable to consider further compromises. And it will not happen. The 1967 formula seven formula is not just a Palestinian Peace agenda. It is now a national equilibrium. No one can touch it. But given that and given the clarity of the Current Administration that they are not going to endorse the twostate solution clearly, and an hour, dangerous place in the hand of the netanyahu government. Given the situation, President Trump mentioned one state. This is interesting, really interesting, and important. I wish the use had mentioned this before our 1988 declaration because that was our position, by the way, the four, before he accepted International Legitimacy our platform was one democratic state. Remember . The plo. Fine, they mention it now. One state for all of its citizens with four equal rights. Palestinians accepted the twostate solution as a concession, as was said, because the International Committee was oriented around that idea. So if this administration has ideas or a one state solution, we are interested to hear them. What they have. We are. And then we want full rights like everyone else. And we are impartial about how we get there. Its not just about the journey. Its about the destination. However, if onestate solution envisions, is disguised apartheid or apartheid in disguise, in one form or another, it will be rejected. And we must save our efforts and not repeat history again. This has been tried and worked. It has been tried before and it came to a crushing defeat. Needless, i say, mundell in africa, needless i say art and luther king and the civil rights movement. Its very simple, very simple. Either we all have equal rights or none of us. Right are not subdivided. You cannot subdivide rights or selective. Thats called apartheid. And we are fully human, fully human. Right . Not threefifths. [laughing] human, we are fully human. And today by the way marks the first day of the black achievement in the u. S. Let us remember. So please when you are someone arguing like netanyahu, we will give the palestinians a state minders. Nothing will be minus about us. Either full sovereignty on the entire land that israel occupies in 1967 or full equal rights in the historic land of palestine. For every citizen. We will not accept a system that is there to privilege one group over another. Weve lived that and experienced that long enough. And i know they will be interesting discussion, and im not going to go on, but let me try to conclude by saying this. The Israeli Government is absolutely delusional if it thanks that the transactional approach thinks to the International Community, to the issue of negotiations, to the situation in the arab world is going to take it anywhere. Delusional. And they are also delusional about the article of history is bending. Either they dont want to see, or they are just blocking what is happening actually. Prime minister netanyahu can speak of the congress, but do you think you can go and speak at a university in california . Or wisconsin . No. Because the arc of history always bends towards justice. [applause] and let me be clear by way of ending it. Let me be clear that we dont want to end an injustice by creating another injustice. We dont. We have tasted the bitter taste of injustice. We dont wish to inflict injustice on anybody. We want a Bright Future for israel he gets as much is wanted it for our own kids. For better or worse, our fates, are underlined. And intertwined and interconnected. Our futures are. We know that. Last is the fate of all our worlds that is more and more independent everyday, and getting smaller. Israel isnt safer or more prosperous when it is inflicting indescribable pain and horror on millions of people under its control. It is in safe. That is a recipe for continued pain and suffering for both, but has gone on for a long time. This irresponsible living by the mentality mindset strategy will get us nowhere. It will not secure our future and will only destroy the basis of coexistence we hope that the israeli, the israelis will listen to their better engines, rather than their current politicians. And i know they will ultimately. We definitely know they will ultimately. We are all the sons and the daughters, we are. And the battle is not between those siblings, but between those who want to split, and those who want to bring together in peace and harmony. And i believe now by numbers and by the sort of International Community and by the structural change that is happening in america, more American People are on the side of the truth. We sit in the campuses do we sit in the polls. We sit in the Jewish Community and in the use of the Jewish Community. We see it everywhere we go that the tide is going towards supporting the just cause of palestine. Therefore, i believe the ultimate will of reaching peace and harmony in the land of palestine will be achieved. Thank you very much. [applause] thank you very much, ambassador. In the interest of time, please, will open the floor to questions and answer. Please keep your questions brief and to the point so that everybody can get a chance. I have a very quick question for you. Do you believe that the lifting of the head of the hamas built bureau on the terror list in any way destroys the efforts conducted either plo and by the p. A. . Thank you. I guess we will take a few questions. Thank you very much. Mr. Ambassador, could you state to the unintended consequences of mr. Trumps decision, perhaps even some intended consequences, your organization of islamic conference, has got assigned a a different name now, has declared that it support East Jerusalem as the capital of the state of israel, the European Union does. Russia even before mr. Trumps statement said the same thing about East Jerusalem being the capital of the future palestinian state. And his action has reinvigorated discussion about this, and essentially make clear that the u. S. Has abandoned its role as the lead player in the socalled Peace Process, may be that will now be a genuine Peace Process. Thank you. Thank you dirk do i understand that the plo now is for a unified state . In palestine. And israel, together. Not a twostate solution. Id like to add a a questios well. Among some of the decisions, theres been the threat to close the plo office here in washington. Is there any development with that issue . Well, about lifting the leader of hamas on the terror list, you know, do you know even the plo, the plo that has been engaged in the Peace Process via the invitation of u. S. Since 1991, weve signed the oslo agreement and the white house. Weve entered into several Bilateral Agreements with the u. S. The u. S. Has been paying 700 million at one point to establish state of palestine. Israel has recognized formally the plo as legitimate sole representative of the palestinian spirit with all that still in the u. S. Law, the plo is a terrorist Organization Since 1987. It didnt change. Noah has the guts or the courage or the wisdom to come and revisit that law. No one. This isnt just about the situation. The whole legislation and the u. S. Congress and the whole way of looking at this needs to change, i had to say. [inaudible] well, thats not a function have how the u. S. List anybody. Thats a function of the Palestinian National requirements at the function of the Palestinian People and their demands, and a function of our commitment of democratic process of renewing our democratic process, and a function of always making sure territorially also the west bank is one territory and entity. So ending it, ending the division and regaining control of gaza and making sure we have one government and we have one rule of law comes before any other consideration. The second question about the role of International Community practically and rush and European Union and all those are still recognize the 67 borders, to recognize the issue as an occupied city. Yes, thats why were saying that now the only alternative is a multilateral forum. We find these countries you listed including europe, china, russia, africa, latin america, is a very important players. You cannot just exclude major countries. Ill give you one example. Europe has more leverage in real terms than america. The biggest trading part of israel is europe. Its not the u. S. And the biggest donor to the palestinians is not america. Its europe. By far by the way, youre not talked with just a small little difference. By far. We dont border, you know, the shores of the u. S. , the Eastern Shores of the u. S. Or even the west for that matter. We border europe. Europe has a geopolitical interest because whatever happens hits his supporters immediately like what happened in syria and the refugees of syria. So europe is crucial in being on the table. So is other Major International countries. The problem was the exclusion in the first place. We hope what happened in the last few weeks would give that argument and that logic support that there is no way but for an International Table to let International Resolutions implement. The third question about the onestate solution. Let me be very clear. We believe that the twostate solution on the 1967 borders is the best way forward. He is the outcome because he was elected on certain promises. To think this point in time is really society in general is supposed to be open for the discussion of an egalitarian we have also reoriented not only of having peace after a thousand years but i want my daughters to live a different teacher and to experience differences. We also the pressure and time to implement a possible vision for peace. However what i was saying is should this vision continue being murdered buried by Benjamin Netanyahu and to this vision continue to be not supported by straightforwardly absolutely by the administration in us and when we want to explore the other option that we dont want to hear and we want to listen and what does the president mean what does one say. If he means one man in the stork land of palestine we will listen. If he means a democratic system constitutional arrangements, bill of rights that guarantees every citizen who will listen. If he means that the people in that area will decide collectively on the state capital and future in International Relations we will listen. We will listen. We are not against this form of solution to stay, we were never against it. What we were against is the lack of a solution in the first place and we believed in 1988 that we must love that last form for the sake of aligning our sense of legitimacy hoping that alliance with an International Resolution will implement the piece. Thats the formula. We want the International Community to play the role of an equalizer and to equalize the equation. What we are trying to say today very clearly and the absence of a clearcut commitment to the two state solution and theres evidence of that is we are here all ears and want to listen. How is that . Thats the meaning. We want to listen. I tell you were not oriented to one form of a solution we are oriented to the solution. About the closing of the office only a few days ago i was reading some israeli media with the discussion between President Trump and Prime Minister netanyahu and it was mentioned that he asked for the closure of the office in washington and there was also some news in september that was also that netanyahu adopted and endorsed a plan to close the office in washington so it is all there you can see the news. I think netanyahu is after the liquidation of the palestine issue. He thanks by taking jerusalem off the table and taking refugees on the table than bringing down a flag from washington he will simply achieve this. Its more than just an office and its the symbolism of that office. Its what that office represents and it represents the collective political aspirations of a righteous people. It represents decades of struggle to get an embassy. They dont even like to see the flag of palestine fly. I have news for mr. Netanyahu. First of all, its obvious that the United States and us have a very deeprooted relationship bilateral, independent of what israel once and there is sufficient and you remember that decision has worked out backtracking from the original decision in november and now continues here and allowing the bilateral relationship is a very important line of medication but i have news for mr. Netanyahu if he keeps pressuring in that area. You know, even if he manages to bring or close in office or institution this will be a palestinian home and there are thousands of palestinian homes [applause] they are delusional if they think if you attack the issue of 7 million refugees that theyll go away. They are delusional if an announcement by the as president about jerusalem will take away jerusalem, i was in jerusalem three weeks ago and i wanted to see what changed in nothing changed. The east is still occupied and the people are still speaking arabic with a beautiful palestinian accent, by the way. [laughter] often their shops are still open and you can spend beautiful asian smell of [inaudible] and its becoming more delicious even now. They own it. Nothing has changed and nothing will change, i assure you. Nothing will change. The only thing that changed is that the Us Administration has decided willingly to walk out of the negotiations. To walk out being mediator for all these years. Nothing will change about our rights and the main line of protection for us in the main line of defense is the people. With all due respect to the International Legitimacy and law but using the people of jerusalem only a few months ago. Only when critics try to elect [inaudible]. If someone comes and tells them this is your city, this is heritage and this is not your history and this is not your narrative and this is not your identity, [inaudible] why continue why then does the Palestinian Authority continue to cooperate of security is helping to police in silence the will of the Palestinian People . You have to distinguish between our ability to maintain a nonviolent completion and what you just described as preventing people from or not. People have been demonstrating with the full support of the leadership as happened in july and happened in so many other areas to all these wonderful examples. The latest warriors of Popular Resistance are all members of the members of the [inaudible] and they have been imprisoned only in the last few weeks. But we dont want the [inaudible] and we dont want it. We are not bluffing when we say our commitments to a nonviolent way of engaging the occupation and we need it. Sir, we mean it. Some would say that you know this is really being part of the [inaudible] but no, this is starting the district violence does not work. It doesnt help us. We are a nation with rights and International Support and for too long this has been confused with us and no, [inaudible] why do it yourself and then not do it with the israelis . All those have been leading the efforts, check the names and families. Cr support. Its a very complicated matter and a nation must always look to find where it is strongest and we are not the strongest in the military arena. We are not. We are strongest in the moral arena and in the political arena and in the legal arena and why do we always want to engage in the boxing ring with tyson. He will eat your ear. In this regard israel has no limits because it has shielded protective blaming the palestinian leadership in authority and not blaming the International System for giving this long exercise and practice of immunity so we want to see our people as well. We dont want to see our children being slaughtered with no credibility. Slaughtered. Today as i was driving here i saw the disheartening news of seven innocent people in gaza losing their lives and injuries. Why . Because there was some sort of ghastly and an explosion and that should have been averted and it is humane treatment of gaza for the kids is because of a twisted mentality, not by the palestinian leadership for the people of palestine. A regime that has seen the complicity in the complacency of so many. It is unbearable, a war right in front of the other front of the world burying children, babies and we dont want to bring suffering on our people. We dont. We consider to be the human soul human being to be our most important vessel. We dont want the palestinian heroes we want life palestinian heroes. Free and prosperous, free and educated. If you blame us for that bring it on. Thank you for your remarks. Im peter, retired state Department Foreign service and also im on the board and my question is Many American congressmen and senators visit israel not very many go on to the west bank and so my question is can you describe for us a little bit about your efforts to have members of congress get a clearer picture of what the situation is. Yes, this is an important question and you are right. The way the truth has been blocked here and the concerted efforts to make sure there is only one side presented one side of the narrative in the story and its not even the israeli side but a distorted minority who has the money and organization. We havent been doing as much in that arena in the last few but thats not because we dont want to see them. Things have been changing and then the last three years weve been receiving several senior us congressman and i myself before i became the master here i myself received similar us senators, congressmen over the last year and the year before. This is beginning to happen and i dont want to feel much but there is a concerted effort to send as many and theres much more interest because in the past many congressmen and women would not find it not find it easy to do so. And in the past some would consider it to be political suicide. I assure you one thing things are changing in the conversation. Ever since i arrived ive been going for congress in a daily basis meeting right across the border, republicans and democrats, the senior heads of [inaudible] and things are changing. The change of Public Opinion in america is also reaching the congress. When the president ial candidates were competing some of them supporting the rights without mentioning names even present himself when he was going around and he said the heartland of the evangelical movement will be neutral because of the priorities israel is number four, number five things are changing. Someone asked me about closing the office here and its part of the Israeli Government feeling that things are changing. They wanted us to abruptly shut it down. They see where the wheels of history are going. They see it. Only wants to insert poison suspicion and the body of the going palestinian relationship. And the growing Public Awareness and the growing in the coup detat of what is going on in the social media and the alternative sources of media. You are right we have a homework to do and we need to do it and this is the moment. We believe that this is our moment in america. For three reasons. The first is the change in the Public Opinion and its real. The second is the change among Rural Communities i. E. The new generations of palestinian american unity israeli self what is the word . Company and the culture and they are proud americans and proud palestinians and theyre not concerned with survival but theyre concerned with election and the third is the change among the Jewish Committee. Many, many members of the Jewish Committee are saying not in our name, what is this . And i encounter them on a daily basis. Leaders, youth movements, this is a very important moment for us and we must seize it and that explains to you why we want to do that because they know it and they know where we are going. The peace plan will be presented to the palestinians regardless of the palestinians come to the table or not and how would the palestinians receive the proposal. Said again. A us official was quoted as saying that the peace plan will be presented to the palestinians and israelis whether or not the palestinians come to the negotiating table and how will the palestinians receive such a proposal . We will not receive any proposal that is less of the implementation of international and us long positions about the two state solution on the 1967 borders. We will not receive any proposal 1 centimeter less of that. Next. Thank you for your visit, and investor. We mentioned a lot of trumps publication jerusalem and mom and mentioned to close the offices and palestinians have refused Vice President Mike Pence Visit so one might imagine that the relationship breaking t what we saw three days ago was a group of activists disrupting an official meeting at the chamber of commerce in bethlehem which by the way is a nonviolent Popular Resistance which indicates continued engagement so the question i want to ask is inspired from a refugee in bethlehem is to what extent will the Palestinian Government continue to coordinate with United States and what aspects of the relation will stop . This is a very important question. People realize that we distinguish very clearly between the bilateral relations and the us palestinian relationship has three dimensions. The first dimension is the bilateral relationship between the people of america and policy and the this has nothing to do with the Peace Process. This is nothing to do with peace plans. The second i mentioned is the bilateral relationship [inaudible] the third and the last dimension is americas contribution and their Security Council and this is the three dimensions. What we have been saying is that since the announcement medicare has since inflicted on the role of the media and the trilateral relationship. Americas disqualified and you cannot be a mediator if the rules of possibles you are presented with. You have singlehandedly unilaterally suddenly change the rules of engagement and we are saying we are not anticipating and we will not engage under such rules of engagement. But we are absolutely adamantly strategically interested in the bilateral relationship and america is america and this is a very important country and its not only a superpower but america is not the only polar and you see the opportunities and how many people and thousands took off the streets in chicago, new york, what have you and we also are thankful for the American Sports for the Palestinian People and institutions. We will always want to maintain and thats all you maintain and we will double down on our efforts in the bilateral areas on our efforts in making sure that the real objective about the israeli Prime Minister by pushing in all these directions is jerusalem announced refugees closing and what is the real object. The first is preempting and believe you me, israel was panicking about this even if ultimately they were not perfect for the palestinians but the discussion in the political arena is not what they wanted. Even discussing political and the second is to plead determine the outcome before it even starts. The logic now and the third is to destroy the two state solution. Its very the very heart of it was if you aim and shop at the heart that the government does not want the two state solution. They see the essential threat and they want to abruptly destroy the growing bilateral relationship between palestine and the United States. Here comes your question. We will not allow that we will not allow that to happen and we must invest more and more in our connection, outreach, relationship to the American Government and representatives and public and we will and this is the track. People have the right for what nonviolent protests and they do but we have a system where someone presents to the early complaints we will have to investigate and there is a very fine line that you must and we appreciate the us assistance to palestine. We must distinguish clearly between that and between the political track. We have time for one more question. Thank you. Thank you, ambassador for your presentation. Its an important and we would like to tell you to continue and convey to the american public. I know that some americans but some of them would like to [inaudible] we are with you and by the way we had a meeting for the ministerial we have adopted a plan or Movement Plan for rejecting the decision [inaudible] we will continue and [inaudible] some European Countries are in the process to recognize palestine like poland or slovenia and what is your efforts to take to work this initiative. Thank you. As far as recognition, palestine is organized by hundred 38 countries provide. Whats left practice late is the us and western europe because we are also recognized by the majority in eastern europe. In western europe there has been a country started with sweden, if you remember, fully recognizing the state of palestinian and sweden did that out of how much sweden as a country and political system is much more based on values of possibles and interest in fears and id like to give a hand to sweden actually. Also because my kids were born in sweden. I have worked with the swedish social democrats and theyre very important. The vatican has such a resounding symbolism and we are asking and demanding European Countries that if you want to invest in a two state solution then you better start recognizing by not recognizing the two physician there recognized as by continuing expanding and colonizing and we the palestinians are saying we cannot continue recognizing israel. [inaudible] what i was saying is that recognition of the state of palestine under the 1967 borders is a very important thing to do for any country or otherwise but it is europe we are focusing on. The two state solution is revisited because it is dying in every sense but recognition becomes the only act that makes sense and the Political Legal arena. I cannot reveal much about that but theres a lot of talk a nation and as you mentioned there will be delegations to visit the capitals of his country and number one on the agenda is the recognition of the state of palestine under the 1967 borders. What i mean practically is means to accept independence and under the 1967 borders. [inaudible] thats the first formula and my father lost his farm in what has become israel. I have the right to farm the land if i choose to and compensated according to International Law. The second scenario is not accepted in this this continues to be unrealistic given the situation and we would have to take our heads out of the sand and start listening and discussing nationally and internationally the real option of full equal rights for all the people who live in the historic land. Thank you very much. [applause] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] later today speak for Justice Ruth Bader ginsburg will talk about the editor in chief of forward magazine about the intersection between law, media and jewish life. Live coverage starts at 7 00 p. M. Eastern. Coming up senator majority Mitch Mcconnell and paul ryan avenue scheduled at the Republican Party retreat in west virginia. Live coverage of that begins at 230 thymic eastern on cspan. Tonight President Trump will address the gop retreat a bit earlier will be back here in washington to deliver remarks at the Republican National Committee Meeting at the trump hotel. Live coverage starts at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan. At last months World Economic forum in switzerland talk they talked about the future and thomas fom