Christian Coalition wants Martinelli declared persona non grata

The National Christian Coalition of the Holy Land has asked the Arab League to declare to president Ricardo Martinelli, persona non grata for his recent statements that Israel is the "guardian" of Jerusalem. Says an ETE report.

Dimitri Diliani, president of the Coalition, urged the League, which meets later this month for its annual summit, to apply  Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and declare Martinelli persona non grata..

Diliani said thar Martinelli’s statement "not only violates international law … but it has become partner of the violations committed by the State of Israel as an illegal occupying power."

During a five day visit to Israel last week, Martinelli said that Israel is the "guardian of the Jerusalem", statements that angered Palestinians who seek to convert the eastern part of the city, occupied since 1967, as the capital of their future state.

"The ill-timed Martinelli statements is a reprehensible attempt to legitimize the Israeli military occupation of the city of Jerusalem against the law and will of its inhabitants."

Deputy Fayez Saqqa Christian, responsible for Latin American affairs of the Palestinian Parliament, demanded an apology from the president of Panama and called the reaction of the Panamanian Foreign Ministry to Palestinian complaints “nonsense”.

"To say that Jerusalem is a major city and call upon the parties to resume dialogue is not an explanation for the very serious statements made by Mr. Martinelli, but are simply words to get by," said Saqqa in separate statement.

"Martinelli publicly offered blind support to Israel in international forums, attacked the Goldstone report and has become the only world leader to recognize Israeli sovereignty over East Jerusalem. After that to say that that Panama hopes to help resume negotiations is not only nonsensical but is a disingenuous statement, "he added.

It also questions Martinelli’s will open a Panamanian Embassy in Qatar when positioned on the Israeli side. "We do not know how to react once our Qatari brothers have been aware of the offense of Martinelli, ‘asks the deputy.