Should this be a surprise?
pna.net
Belgium Affirms That East Jerusalem Is Part of Occupied Territory
Date:11/13/01
The Palestinian News Agency, WAFA, reports that the Belgian State Secretary for Development Cooperation, Mr. Eddy Boutmans, said yesterday 12 November, that the European Union (EU) supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Mr. Boutmans’s statement came after meeting with Dr. Sari Nuseibeh, the Palestinian official responsible for Jerusalem Affairs, in the American Colony Hotel in Occupied East Jerusalem yesterday.
During their meeting, Dr. Nuseibeh and his Belgian guest discussed various issues, including the tragic situation that Palestinian institutions suffer from in occupied East Jerusalem. Dr. Nuseibeh told reporters that the Israeli closure has negatively affected all sectors in the city. He added, “We told the Secretary that the E.U. should re-open the doors to European aid to Occupied East Jerusalem. This is something that the city, especially its surrounding villages, urgently needs”.
Mr. Boutmans expressed his concern about the suffering and difficulties that the Palestinians face on the Israeli checkpoints. He pointed out that he witnessed the suffering that Palestinians face in crossing the Qalandia checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem.
The Belgian official also confirmed that his country considers East Jerusalem part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. He added,” The Belgian government will affirm its political position, that considers East Jerusalem part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, through financial aid to the city’s institutions”.
Mr. Boutmans also stressed that going back to negotiations is the only way out from the current crisis in the area. He added, “The E.U. is not sparing any effort to help both sides to achieve the longed desired peace, which will be the only foundation for future development and prosperity in the region and will positively reflect on the entire world”. |
