Introduction

Salim Al-Za’anun, Chairman of the Palestinian National Council (PNC) has threatened to contest Israel’s UN membership. In addition he has declared that Israel’s Knesset building is on Palestinian land and called for its removal.

The following is the text of the article that appeared in today’s Palestinian Authority daily Al-Ayyam.

“Salim Al-Za’anun: If Israel Continues to Reject Decision 194, The PLO Will Contest Israel’s Membership in the UN

“The chairman of the Palestinian National Council, Salim A-Za’anun, said that the Palestinian Liberation Organization will contest Israel’s membership in the UN if it continues to reject [UN] Decision 194 regarding the return of [Palestinian] refugees, and if it refuses to withdraw from the Palestinian territories conquered in 1967.

“… Za’anun threatened [the PLO] will retreat from its acceptance of resolution 242 and the amendment of the Palestinian National Charter if Israel continues to ignore the rights of the Palestinian nation. He said that there would be a return to square one of the dispute and to [UN 1947 Partition] Decision 181, which endows to the Palestinian people some 45% of historic Palestine.

“… he added: ‘[Israel’s Parliament] the Knesset stands on Palestinian land, it must be removed so that the permanent seat of the [Palestinian] National Council my be erected there.

“Za’anun declared these during a ceremony launching the 1,000,000 signature campaign to return the refugees, held in Dir Al-Balakh [Gaza Strip refugee camp].

Al-Ayyam, 21 February 2001

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