Former Israeli, US peace negotiators eulogize Erekat

Former Israeli and American peace negotiators are paying tribute to Saeb Erekat, the former top Palestinian official who died earlier today of COVID-19.

Tzipi Livni, a former Israeli foreign minister who negotiated with Erekat in the 2000s, says she is “saddened” by his death. In a tweet, she says he had texted her after falling ill, saying “I’m not finished with what I was born to do.” She offers her condolences, saying “he will be missed.”

Yossi Beilin, a former Israeli cabinet minister and peace negotiator, calls Erekat’s death “a big loss for those who believe in peace, both on the Palestinian side and the Israeli side.”

He says that Erekat had sent his own children to “Seeds of Peace,” a summer camp promoting coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians, and that after a flood in Jericho, he had been moved to see his daughter receive 23 emails from Israeli friends asking if she was OK.

“He said: ‘For me this is the whole story — if we care for each other and understand that we can be friendly,’” Beilin recalls.

Jason Greenblatt, in a tweet, acknowledges differences of opinion with Erekat as he sends condolences to his family.

My deep condolences to the family of Saeb Erekat. Saeb & I were worlds apart in our views of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it’s history & how to resolve it. But he tried hard to represent his people. Wishing his family much comfort /strength during this difficult time.

— Jason D. Greenblatt (@GreenblattJD) November 10, 2020

— with AP