Palestinian Diplomacy Leader, Secretary-General Erekat Dies from COVID-19

Diplomat Who Led Oslo Negotiations
Does Not Give Up on Two-State Solution Despite Various Challenges

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Saeb Erekat, Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), who led the Palestinian side in peace negotiations with Israel, has died from COVID-19.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 10th (local time), foreign media including The Washington Post (WP) reported, citing his family, that Secretary-General Erekat passed away while receiving treatment for COVID-19 at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem.

Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority, said, "Losing the great warrior Erekat, who was both a brother and a friend, is a great loss to Palestine and our people," adding, "We deeply mourn his loss."

A scholar by background, Secretary-General Erekat was active on the front lines of Palestinian diplomacy for nearly 30 years, contributing to the signing of the Oslo Accords with Israel in 1993, among other achievements, with his fluent English skills.

It is known that Erekat’s immune system weakened after undergoing a lung transplant surgery in the United States three years ago.

WP reported that Erekat was even respected by Israelis. Despite many setbacks, he never gave up on the so-called "two-state solution," which envisions Israel and Palestine coexisting as independent states.

In Palestine, there was regret over his passing just before the U.S. government transitioned to the Joe Biden administration. Unlike former President Donald Trump, who leaned toward Israel, there was a sense of disappointment that Erekat could have played a greater role under the Biden administration.

The international community expressed condolences over Erekat’s death.

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, lamented, "His death is a great loss to the Palestinians and Middle East peace negotiations." Dominic Raab, UK Foreign Secretary, honored him by saying, "Erekat was a master negotiator and a fighter for Palestinian rights."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.