Statement by PLO Secretary General Dr. Saeb Erekat's after the meeting between French Envoy Pierre Vimont and President Abbas as well as other Palestinian authorities:

 It was a positive visit, with a sincere and positive exchange of ideas around the goal to fully end the Israeli occupation and preserve and push forward the two-state solution on the 1967 border.

We have encouraged France to go ahead with its initiative and supported its efforts to have a multilateral conference before the end of the year. Palestine will continue to engage with its various partners in order to move towards that end. Israel should not be given the chance to sabotage such an international initiative.

Israel is a state that does not only refuse to attend international conferences, but refuses to recognize Palestine, to implement signed agreements, UN resolutions or simply to abide by its obligations under international law. Israel wants only to maintain the status quo and to continue with its settlement policies and land grab.

Next year will mark 50 years of the Israeli occupation. The world should not allow Israel to continue vetoing the inalienable right of Palestine to be free.