Erekat: Reports on removal of IDF roadblocks in West Bank a 'PR stunt'
Chief Palestinian negotiator says following Olmert-Abbas meeting that 'the situation on the ground indicates that the Israeli siege and closure continue to be hermetic.' Adds: West Bank becoming prison like Gaza
Israel's
recent declarations regarding the removal of IDF roadblocks throughout the West Bank in order to ease the movement of Palestinians are "nothing more than a PR stunt," Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat said Monday afternoon.
Israeli Concessions
IDF says removed 10 West Bank roadblocks / Efrat Weiss and AP
Roadblocks near Nablus, Tulkarem, Qalqiliya removed as gesture to Abbas. 'Removal of roadblocks will make it easier on terrorists to carry out attacks,' says Israeli security official. Palestinians: Not one roadblock removed
"The situation on the ground indicates that the (Israeli) siege and closure continue to be hermetic," Erekat said shortly after the Jerusalem meeting between
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, during which the leaders reiterated their commitment to the Annapolis process and to reaching a historic peace agreement by the end of the year.
"There is no apparent change, and all of the Israeli reports are a publicity ploy. The West Bank is turning into one big prison, just like Gaza."
According to him, the Palestinians are making every effort to address the anarchy in the West Bank and maintain order.
Prior to the meeting Erekat said Abbas would review the status of negotiations with Olmert, push for a halt in settlement activity, seek an easing of roadblocks and other travel restrictions on West Bank Palestinians, and urge Israel to reach a cease-fire with Hamas.
Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said that during the meeting the Palestinians discussed Israeli settlement construction and humanitarian issues in the West Bank and Gaza. Israel raised its security concerns and called on the Palestinians to rein in militants, he said.
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