The Palestinian Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, welcomed during its weekly meeting in Ramallah on Tuesday the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly, by an overwhelming majority, of five resolutions in favor of the Palestinian People, according to a cabinet statement.
The cabinet also hailed holding the joint Palestinian-French committee meetings, and commended the Chilean Congress for its resolution calling the Chilean Government to review all signed agreements between Chile and Israel.
The statement noted that the cabinet decided to form the Higher Committee for Palestinian Diaspora Statistics.
The Cabinet, according to the statement:
Welcomed the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly, by an overwhelming majority, of five resolutions in favor of the Palestinian People, namely, a special resolution on Occupied Jerusalem, demanding the General Assembly not to recognize any measures taken by Israel, the Occupying Power, in the holy city, in particular after the US Embassy relocation. In addition to a resolution on settling the Palestinian issue by peaceful means, and three other resolutions that ensure continuing the work of the committees concerning Palestine in the United Nations.
These committees include follow-up committee for the information program of training Palestinians at the United Nations on media coverage and events, continuing the work of the Committee on the Division of Palestinian Rights and the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. The Cabinet affirmed that the international community votes on those resolutions confirm its commitment to support and defend the Palestinian rights despite the US administration efforts in international forums to resist and end support to Palestine.
Commended the Chilean Congress for its resolution calling the Chilean Government to review all signed agreements between Chile and Israel, the Occupying Power and to define references for the borders of Israel and their applicability to the 1967 borders in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2334. In addition to requesting the Chilean President to instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to refer any future agreement between Israel and Chile to the United Nations resolution 67/19, which recognizes the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Furthermore, to issue directives to business owners, executives, tourists, citizens and organizations visiting Palestine not to contribute or invest in colonial Israeli settlements and to understand the legal consequences of such actions.
The Cabinet stressed that these practical and effective initiatives are the right steps that enshrine the true content of solidarity with the Palestinian people and hold Israel, the Occupying Power, accountable for all violations of international law, international legitimacy, and human rights.
Expressed its sincere gratitude to the Irish Seanad for their true solidarity through endorsing a legislation on banning Israeli settlement products. “This is an important and courageous step that coincides with the international law, which considers the Israeli settlements illegal and any action against them is for the benefit of the peace process and the two-state solution,” the Cabinet stated.
The Cabinet also noted that Ireland was, thus, the first State in the European Union to ban settlement products. The Cabinet commended the historic ties between the Palestinian and Irish nations and Ireland’s firm commitment to defend social justice, equality, freedom and the rights of the oppressed, including the right of the Palestinian people to freedom, independence, and self-determination.
Condemned the decision of the Israeli occupation to recall the member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Adnan al-Husseini for investigation, and criticized the arrest of Jerusalem Governor Adnan Ghaith.
“Israel, the Occupying Power, violates all international resolutions and laws, through house demolitions, arrest, abuse and killing attacks as well as illegal military settlement escalation. Yet, through the repeated attacks committed by Israeli settlers against the defenseless Palestinian citizens, and raiding the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in a flagrant violation of all international laws, religious and ethical norms.”
Condemned the so-called “Israeli Knesset” for ratifying a new racist law that would freeze the funds it transfers for medical treatment of Palestinians who were arrested after their injury, as well as prisoners in prisons run by the so-called Israeli Prison Service.
The Cabinet stressed that this law is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, agreements, protocols, international covenants on human rights principles, and the Geneva Conventions, which consider Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails protected under the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions and cannot be subjected to any harm or degrading treatment. The Cabinet pointed out that the Israeli occupation government deliberately violates these laws, especially through depriving Palestinian prisoners of their “right to health” guaranteed by international laws and conventions, and their right to proper medical treatment and examinations.
Commended Saudi Arabia for paying $50 million in support of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The Cabinet stressed that the Palestinian citizens and leadership highly appreciate such genuine gestures to support the Palestinian people and their just issue in their struggle in all international forums. The Cabinet commended the continued economic and financial contributions to support the steadfastness of the Palestinian citizens on their own State with Jerusalem as its capital.
Discussed the outcomes of the meeting of Hamdallah with a delegation from the Palestinian Bar Association, which highlighted the issue of social security law. Hamdallah stressed that the Palestinian leadership, headed by President Abbas along with the Government respect the freedom of opinion and expression and appreciates the action as well as the Government efforts to meet the demands of all segments of society regarding the “social security”.
Hamdallah stressed that the Government will recommend President Abbas to amend the provisions of the social security law retroactively and in a consensual manner, to the satisfaction of all stakeholders, and to contribute to the application of the law in accordance with the national interest.”
Hailed holding the meetings of the Joint Palestinian-French Committee on Friday in Paris, chaired by Hamdallah and his French counterpart Édouard Philippe, during which several agreements and memorandums of understanding would be signed to promote cooperation between both countries in many fields.
This cooperation includes supporting the public budget, the water sector, the desalination plant in the Gaza Strip, culture and education as well as increasing the number of scholarships from the French Government and establishing the French Institute in Ramallah.
Affirmed the determination of the Palestinian Government to advance the role of persons with disabilities, on International Day of Disabled Persons that marks December 3 each year.
The Cabinet also confirmed to raise the status of people with disabilities in the society and to work on a multidimensional approach to address their issues, including legislation, health, education, rehabilitation, transportation, and launching a social awareness campaign and contributing to empowering them socially and economically.
Approved the draft executive regulations for the Financial Follow-up Unit concerning the powers of unity and local and international cooperation related to its work, approved by the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism.
This came after the Cabinet approval of the national strategy to combat money laundering and terrorism financing upon risk evaluation of money laundering and terrorism financing, and to form a national committee to oversee its implementation.
