Youth Group Calls to Protest against Obama’s Visit
http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=21866

RAMALLAH, March 12, 2013 (WAFA) – Palestinian youth group called to reject
US President Barack Obama's visit to Palestine and to demonstrate against
resuming negotiations, said a press release by Palestinians For Dignity
group published on Sunday.

The group said Obama's visit to Palestine, which is expected between 20-22
of March, comes while the hunger striking prisoners are battling Israeli
policies and arbitrary measures and the US silence.

Palestinians For Dignity said that it is “naive to presume that US policy
toward Israel has changed since Obama took office.”

They referred to a report by US Congress, which discussed a $3.1 billion for
military aid purposes, which included “financing the Iron Dome system, and
increasing US bilateral support to Israel to $115 billion since 1949.”

It said that US commits to maintain Israel’s security on the expense of
Palestinian lives by taking no action against settlement activities in the
West Bank and justifying the massacres against Palestinians in Gaza among
other things.

The group said, “It is hypocritical and disingenuous that the PLO disregards
the role of the Obama administration in blocking its membership request in
2011 at the Security Council, and its vote against the resolution at the
General Assembly in 2012.”

It criticized the idea of receiving Obama in Ramallah even though the
Palestinian leadership assured Palestinians that it considers Jerusalem as
the capital of Palestine.

It pointed out the financial sanctions imposed by US congress on
international institutions that recognized Palestine.

The group claimed that the visit aims to “relieve the pressure off the
Israeli government, which is suffering increased international isolation
(albeit with words more than actions), restrain the frustration of the
Palestinian street simmering in solidarity with prisoners, and prolong the
expected lifetime of the PA, which after 20 years is becoming more and more
disconnected from its people.”

It said that Palestinians will not accept to play a role in achieving these
interests, and will not succumb to these pressures. They called for a
complete boycott of Israel and to rebuild a representative entity for
Palestinians everywhere.

Palestinians For Dignity called on all Palestinians to demonstrate against
receiving Obama, who considers Israel “the closest ally in the region” and
to refuse return to negotiations.

M.H./F.R.