US criticized for encouraging other countires to defy Palestine statehood

Press TV- Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat has criticized the US House of Representatives for its opposition to the recognition of an independent Palestinian state.

The House on Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution opposing unilateral declaration of Palestinian state.

"Through the passage of this resolution, the US Congress is contradicting the policy of the American government to create a Palestinian state by hindering the ability of the Palestinians to navigate around the Israeli government's obstructionist policies," AFP quoted Erekat as saying on Friday.

The House passed the resolution days after a number of Latin American counties recognized the Palestinian state to support the rights of Palestinian people, whose land has been occupied by Israel.

The Latin American states announced that they recognize a free and independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.

"Recognizing the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders is a sovereign, unilateral decision of individual states. While the United States can choose to withhold recognition of our state, it cannot obstruct other countries from exercising this sovereign right," Erekat said.

Following the footsteps of over 130 countries, Bolivian President Evo Morales on Friday officially recognized Palestine as a state based on the 1967 borders. Read more