HEBRON, March 2, 2010 (WAFA)- Chaired by PM Salam Fayyad, the Cabinet held Monday its weekly meeting in the West Bank city of Hebron city today to express its total rejection of Israeli’s unjust decision to include the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, the Bilal Mosque in Bethlehem and the Old Walls of Jerusalem among Israeli ‘heritage sites’; a decision that totally contradicts international law, as these sites are within Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.
The PA stressed that it had raised the issue with various international parties in order to stop this oppressive decision.
The Cabinet strongly condemned ongoing Israeli plans to change the facets and features of the city of Jerusalem, while tightening its control of the city and expelling its Palestinian residents; most recent was the Israeli municipality plan to change the features of the Old City, targeting its streets and avenues. The PA condemned Israeli army storming into the Aqsa Mosque and closing it Sunday.
It also condemned Israeli municipality ratification of the construction of 600 settlement units on Palestinian land at the Pisgat Zeev settlement; as well as demolition orders handed to dozens of families in AlBustan and Abbassiya neighborhoods in Silwan, and plans to takeover privately-owned Palestinian land in Sheikh Jarrah for a parking lot for Israeli settlers. This, in addition to the leveling of land in AlKhader village in the Bethlehem district in the interest of expanding Ali’azar settlement, Israeli settlers de-sanctifying of holy places in Kufl-Hares village in Salfit district and uprooting of olive trees in Burin village, south of Nablus, by Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement.
In view of the Israeli recent escalation and ongoing provocations in all parts of the occupied territories, the Palestinian Cabinet warned of the gravity of such practices, which constitute a clear breach to international law and peace efforts, drag the region into a new cycle of violence, and destabilize PA efforts to create a state of security and stability. The PA called on the international community, especially the Quartet to take full responsibility for ending this Israeli policy that devastates all chances for a future of peace and security in the region. It especially called on the European Union to intervene in order to defer Israel from its provocative policy in Jerusalem, on the basis of the EU Council statement on December 8, 2009 which confirmed non-recognition of Israeli annexation of east Jerusalem.
The Cabinet also praised Palestinian unity and consensus in reacting to Israeli provocations and expressed its full confidence in Palestinian national sense, a responsibility and concern. Such responsible reaction has averted a cycle of violence which would only serve Israel, end its isolation, divert attention from its policies and stop international criticism of its violations.
It confirmed the need to implement the Goldstone Report recommendations and expressed full commitment to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) decisions with this regard. It noted its full readiness to fulfill the UNGA decision calling for further Palestinian investigation. It called on all parties to cooperate with the independent national committee in order to enable the completion of the report as soon as possible, for presentation to the UN General Secretary, as the UNGA decision requires.
The Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Salam Fayyad, confirmed that the PA General Budget will be presented at next week’s meeting. He noted that civil servants salaries will be paid next Wednesday.
The Cabinet expressed its full sympathy with the victims of the Chilean earthquake and decided to dispatch symbolic assistance. It designated the Foreign Ministry to take all needed action to assist the Palestinian community in Chile in this humanitarian tragedy.
On the international day for civil protection, the Cabinet praised the efforts of all Civil Defense forces for the efforts they made to counter the damage caused by flooding in the past few days, and for their high concern to protect the lives and property of citizens.
The Cabinet ratified a series of initiatives to enhance steadfastness of Palestinian citizens in Hebron.
It formed a technical committee for putting in place the proper mechanisms and taking the appropriate legal measures on the issue of seized products and medicines.
