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by Nida Ibrahim
RAMALLAH, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Palestinians are pressing for internationalizing their cause in the hope of ending the Israeli occupation of their lands.
The Palestinians' moves at the international level started in 2010 with an attempt to become a member state at the UN Security Council. After that bid failed, Palestinians were granted a non-member state status at the UN's General Assembly in 2011.
In April, Palestine became a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Palestinian officials say that they are planning to file lawsuits in the world tribunal on issues that are considered war crimes, such as the last war in Gaza, the Jewish settlement building and as well as withholding the Palestinian tax revenues.
"In the last few years, the internationalization was probably an attempt to strengthen the Palestinian position in any future negotiations. Now, the PNA looks to exit the Oslo cycle in a smart way by seeking the world's help," political scientist Ahmed Rafiq Awad told Xinhua, pointing out to a difference in the PNA's approach when it comes to the internationalization efforts.
Awad added that the PNA sought the international community's help after believing that Israel has turned its back on the peace process, refusing peace proposals and intensifying Jewish settlement building on Palestinian lands.
"The PNA is afraid of political bankruptcy and it found itself in a position where it can show people that there are other options in face of the occupation," he explained.
Palestinian officials speaking on condition of anonymity said that Palestinians do not want to be pushed to the corner in a region that shifted its focus to other flammable issues such as the military campaign in Yemen and the Iranian nuclear deal.
Awad explained that there is a European support to the internationalization of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict by pressuring Israel to change its policies.
"Even the U.S. somehow agrees to these efforts. Israel has challenged the international community and even the U.S. administration in some cases. The world wants to punish Israel for its acts," Awad added.
Palestinian officials called on the international community to hold an international peace conference to set a deadline to end the Israeli occupation.
"The five permanent members (of the UNSC) should convene a meeting to hold a conference to ensure a gradual Israeli withdrawal in two to three years under international supervision," Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat said.
In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Erekat said that the time has come to end the occupation, calling on the U.S. and European countries to recognize the Palestinian state.
Senior Fatah official and ex-negotiator Mohammed Shtayyeh told Xinhua that the world needs to be more active in declaring its rejection to the illegal Israeli policies.
"We want the world to shift its political statements from the condemnation of Israeli measures to participate in making the Israeli occupation costly," Shtayyeh said.
Palestinian officials urged China as a UNSC permanent member, to host the planned international conference to demand an end to the occupation.
For its part, China has been active in proposing initiatives that call for promoting stability and prosperity in the Middle East region as a whole.
The One Belt One Road initiative brought up by Chinese President Xi Jinping is aimed to help achieve stability and prosperity at the same time.
China's Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue Gong Xiaosheng who visited Palestine recently said that the One Belt One Road initiative will become an important part of the future solution of the Middle East peace process.
"We hope that the initiative can contribute to achieving peace in the region, and bring some hope, opportunities and peace to the Palestinians, the Syrians and the people living in conflict," he said in a press conference held in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
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