RAMALLAH, January 26, 2010 (WAFA)- Cabinet called January 27 a Day of Solidarity with Palestinian political prisoners, reiterating the need for a full freeze of settlement as a lead for direct negotiations and calling for lifting the Israeli siege on Gaza and ending a health catastrophe there
In its weekly meeting Monday, chaired by PM Salam Fayyad, the Cabinet approved a decision considering 27th January a day of national solidarity with Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli Prisons.
The Cabinet expressed hope for the success of the international peace efforts but stressed the need for an Israeli commitment to international law and the Roadmap (phase I) entitlements primarily a full cease of settlement activities, especially in and around east Jerusalem, as to give way for resuming serious and productive negotiations leading to an end of Israeli occupation of 1967 Palestinian Territory.
The Cabinet rejected Israeli statements on maintaining Israeli presence within the borders of the Palestinian State.
The Cabinet also condemned Israeli policy of imposing facts on the ground: its continued settlement activities in the West Bank including east Jerusalem; the demolition of Al Quds University building in Beit Hanina; issuing five demolition orders in Al Bustan neighborhood , Jerusalem; commencing the 2nd phase of a new bypass road linking two settlements in east Jerusalem (Neve Yacob and Pisgat Zeev settlements) with highway 443; Israeli decision to upgrade a college in Ariel settlement to an accredited university; and Jewish settlers attack on Awarta cemetery and sabotaging tombstones.
The cabinet praised the efforts of activists and organizers of the weekly protest in Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem, protesting the displacement of Palestinians from their homes in the neighborhood, and protesting Israeli settlement policies in the city. It condemned Israeli police violence and arrest of activists, noting that steadfastness in Jerusalem and countering Israeli judiazation policies are the pillars of the Palestinian national struggle.
On election, the Cabinet expressed its regret for not holding Presidential and Legislative Elections on the constitutionally set date. It called for a swift national reconciliation that would allow for elections to be conducted, in accordance with the constitution as well as the Egyptian proposal, considering it the guarantee for protecting the Palestinian democratic system and national achievements.
The PM briefed the cabinet on his visit to Spain, currently the EU Presidency, and his meetings with Palestinian ambassadors in Europe as well as Spanish officials. The Prime Minister stressed the need to put to action the EU document regarding the occupied Palestinian Territory, Jerusalem and Israeli illegal action and international positions.
The PM also stressed the important role Europe could play to end Israeli violations to international law, and be an active and prime partner in the Quartet as to guarantee the success of peace efforts aimed at ending the Israeli occupation and enabling the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.
The Cabinet stressed its pursuit of the efforts to implement its plan for ‘institution building despite Israeli occupation’ and condemned the Israeli practices that continue to obstruct those efforts. In this context, it condemned the recent Israeli obstacles and oppressive measures against international humanitarian organizations, as Israel laid further restrictions on the granting of work permits to employees of international relief agencies.
The Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Salam Fayyad, also confirmed the disbursement of a 4% increase of the basic salary of civil servants, including the living-costs and annual salary increase, effective this month.
The Cabinet expressed its thanks to the EU for its financial grant of 158.5 million Euros to cover this year’s running costs, while noting the need for continued support to PA institution building and state building efforts.
The Cabinet welcomed the World Health Organization (WHO) statement which warned from the serious implications of the severe collapse in the health services sector in Gaza, as a result of the Israeli imposed siege. It called on the international community to take direct responsibility for obliging Israel to immediately lift the siege, so that the PA and international organizations could perform their duties towards the people in Gaza and put an end to a humanitarian catastrophe.
