Fatah youth movement calls on Palestinian youth to boycott event in Ramallah held under auspices of US embassy
Headline: “The Fatah Shabiba calls to boycott the American embassy’s conference in Ramallah”
“The Fatah Shabiba [Youth] Movement in the West Bank published a statement in which it called on the young Palestinians to boycott the conference to which ‘the [US] Palestinian Affairs Unit’ in the American embassy sent invitations for this Wednesday [Aug. 21, 2019] in a hotel in Ramallah. It noted that the fact that the [US] administration is organizing this conference in Palestine constitutes a crossing of all the red lines and insolence that cannot be allowed to pass.
The Shabiba said in a statement: ‘The American administration, which did not succeed in penetrating the Palestinian society in the Manama Conference (i.e., refers to US-led conference in Bahrain in June 2019 focusing on economic aspects of US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan), is now attempting to infiltrate through the young sector that constitutes a fortified wall against the American plot and the deal of the century (i.e., refers to Trump’s as yet unpublished Middle East peace plan), which was meant to eliminate [the Palestinian cause].’
It added: ‘Whoever transfers their embassy to Jerusalem, recognizes it as Israel’s capital (see note below –Ed.), stops the funding for the hospitals in Jerusalem, stops the funding for UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East; see note below –Ed.), defines the Israeli colonies in the Palestinian territories as cities and neighborhoods, refuses to comment on our people’s right to independence and self-determination, and closes the PLO office in Washington – is under no circumstances concerned about the welfare of the young Palestinians and their interests.’ …
The Fatah Shabiba called on all of the young people who have confirmed their participation in the conference to rescind immediately. It expressed full confidence in their national affiliation and that they support their people, our Palestinian revolution’s Martyrs, our prisoners, and our wounded, whom the American administration defines as terrorists.
The Fatah Shabiba emphasized that it will employ all of the legal and popular forms of pressure to express its opposition to this conference being held in the occupied Palestinian territories.”
US recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel
US President Donald Trump's administration announced on Aug. 31, 2018 that it was immediately cutting all $360 million of annual American funding to UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East). Explaining the decision, the US State Department said, "The fundamental business model and fiscal practices that have marked UNRWA for years – tied to UNRWA’s endlessly and exponentially expanding community of entitled beneficiaries – is simply unsustainable and has been in crisis mode for many years. The United States will no longer commit further funding to this irredeemably flawed operation."
The move came after the US froze two planned payments to UNRWA in early January 2018 for more than $100 million, and the US administration spoke about the need to reexamine and conduct a reform of the UN body. This occurred after the PA refused to negotiate with Israel and cut diplomatic ties with America following US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Dec. 6, 2017.