Ramallah/PNN/

This week PLO Executive Committee Member Dr. Hanan Ashrawi conducted separate meetings with diplomats at the PLO Headquarters in Ramallah.

Dr. Ashrawi received French Consul General Hervé Magro at her office today, and in the meeting, Consul General Magro informed Dr. Ashrawi that the French government has awarded her the distinguished French decoration, “Chevalier de la Légion D’honneur” (Knight of the Legion of Honor). Dr. Ashrawi expressed her deep appreciation to France for the honor. The official ceremony will take place next month in Ramallah.

The discussion focused on the critical conditions on the ground and Israel’s persistent violations of international law and human rights. Both parties also reviewed the role of the EU and the future steps of the French Initiative and the means of removing obstacles and ensuring its success.

Dr. Ashrawi also bid farewell to outgoing Italian Consul General Davide La Cecilia today and thanked him for his valuable work in Palestine. She wished him the utmost success in his future endeavors, and both parties promised to stay in touch in the future.

In yesterday’s meeting with British Deputy Consul General James Downer, Dr. Ashrawi discussed the latest political developments and Israel’s destructive policies and measures, including its racist laws and legislation, the escalation in its illegal settlement enterprise, home demolitions, the use of live ammunition and the summary executions of Palestinian civilians, and illegal detentions, among other violations.

Dr. Ashrawi raised the issue of the 100-year anniversary of the Balfour Declaration and Palestinian plans to launch the 100-70-50 public diplomacy project. She also called on the UK to begin taking its responsibility for the Nakba and the grave historical injustice inflicted on the Palestinian people this century.

In addition, Dr. Ashrawi held a meeting with the “Nationalists for Ending the Rift” today, and they explored different ways to mobilize public opinion and to put pressure on the different parties in Palestine to end the rift. The discussion also focused on creating an internal dynamic to promote reconciliation and unity as a means of reforming and revitalizing the political system as a whole.