Paris – In a letter to French ForeignMinister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels, expressed “grave concern regarding an interview with the French Consul General toRamallah, though residing in Jerusalem. René Troccaz, in a meeting with Palestine Liberation Organization Secretary-General, Saeb Erekat, reportedly made undiplomatic statements that wererevealed by the highly respected Palestinian Media Watch, and since appeared in the Palestinian daily Al Hayat AlJadida.”
Samuels continued, “apparently, in the meeting, Mr. Troccaz, is quoted as defining ‘his country’s’ position in supportingPalestinian Authority (PA) political demands such as:
- The release of all Palestinian prisoners, including terrorists and murderers of civilians;
- The right of return of all ‘Palestinian refugees’.”
The Centre questioned the Foreign Minister whether “your Consul General’s stated positions are those of France?”
“If they are not, we urge you to recall Mr. Troccaz for ultra vires misuse of his duties... If they are, we protest at anoutrageous one-sided policy,” argued Samuels.
The letter noted that, “on 1 July, pro-Palestinian rallies in France degenerated into chants such as ‘From the River to the Sea,Palestine will be Free!’ – a call to wipe Israel off the map.”
“The apparent delusional policy of Mr. Troccaz will not bring peace, but may encourage further Jihadist terror on French soil,”claimed the Centre.
“Mr. Foreign Minister, we await word that, after investigation, Mr. Troccaz apologize to Israel and the Jewish people,” concludedSamuels.
For further information, contact Shimon Samuels at +33 147 237 637, join the Center on Facebook, www.facebook.com/simonwiesenthalcenter,or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent direct to your Twitter feed.
The Simon WiesenthalCenter is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the UnitedNations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).