Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat strongly condemned statements sounded on Tuesday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the need to erect a fence that will surround Israel, Palestinian media reported on Wednesday.
Meeting with a delegation of the European Parliament, Erekat claimed that Netanyahu's comments are similar to statements sounded by the Apartheid leaders who founded the Bantustan system in South Africa, and added that "building fences means living according to the law of the jungle."
Erekat also demanded that the delegation act to force Israel to release the dying hunger striking Palestinian prisoner, Mohammad al-Qeeq, as well as all the members of the Palestinian Legislative Council being held in Israel.
He called on the European delegation to demand Israel return the 10 bodies of east Jerusalem attackers to their families.
On a tour along the Jordanian border on Tuesday, Netanyahu said that "Israel needs to erect a fence around the entire country to protect itself from “beasts” in the neighborhood," arousing criticism from both left and right who regarded his plan as one that would transform Israel into a ghetto.