RAMALLAH, August 25, 2010 (WAFA)- Cabinet, chaired by PM Salam Fayyad, gave its full support for the PLO executive committee decision taken in response to the Quartet`s invitation to resume direct talks on the basis of its statement.
The Quartet reiterated its previous statement which affirms that Israel should halt all settlement activities and further noted that the international community does not recognize Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem.
The Quartet statements require all parties to act in accordance with international law and to implement the Road Map that assures all final status issues will be discussed immediately and completed within the timeframe of one year.
The Cabinet confirmed that going into direct talks reflects the Palestinian positive position towards achieving peace in accordance with international law and resolutions, which support the ability of peace process to end the occupation and enable the citizens of achieving self-determination by establishing a Palestinian independent state on 1967 borders. The cabinet stressed that the future of the peace process is dependent on Israel’s seriousness towards negotiations and its commitment to stop all of the settlement activities.
Financial situation:
The Cabinet was briefed by the Ministry of Finance on the financial situation and the difficulties which face the PNA as a result of the low level of foreign aid delivery and irregular fulfillment of pledges by donor countries. The Cabinet called on all donor countries to fulfill their commitments to enable the PNA to continue to carry out its duties and responsibilities towards its citizens in the Gaza Strip, West Bank including East Jerusalem, by providing basic services and supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people.
The Cabinet decided to take additional reform, regulatory and austerity measures to ensure more rationalized spending within Palestinian governmental institutions. This is in an effort to reduce the impact of the financial crisis and improve the financial and administrative reforms and reducing dependence on foreign aid. In this regard, the Cabinet endorsed a protocol proposed by the Ministry of Finance restricting the use of government vehicles to working hours and for work purposes only, by withdrawing vehicles from the personal remit of employees and assigning vehicles to a central management transport unit within the ministries and institutions.
The Cabinet stressed that this decision will ensure the regulation of government vehicle usage and reduces the costs of running the governmental transport sector. This decision will help achieve the government’s central goal, which is the reduction of dependency on foreign aid while countering the current financial difficulties without affecting the efficiency of work of the government plan. This will safeguard public service development and development projects, which will support the citizens’ steadfastness and provide the required resources for the increase of the citizens’ participation in the government plan.
Israeli occupation violations
The Cabinet strongly condemned the continuation of Israeli violations against our people and their properties. The latest crime involved the killing of two Palestinian citizens in Gaza Strip by Israeli gunfire. The Cabinet condemned the settlements’ plans in East Jerusalem such as building a huge elevator system which connects the Jewish square in East Jerusalem’s “Old City” and the western wall. Another plan is to open a new road between Ma`ale Adumim settlement and a newly planned settlement in the region that is called “E1”. It also condemned the Israeli occupation intentions to demolish 30 Palestinian houses in Kufr Akkab, and the Israeli plans to build 242 settlement units in Sheikh Jarrah neighbor and Jabal Al Mukaber in East Jerusalem. The Cabinet noted that continuation of such practices threatens the prospect for the peace process. The Cabinet called on the international community to effectively intervene to stop these continuous transgressions.
In remembrance of the burning of the Al-Aqsa Mosque :
On the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the burning of the Al Aqsa Mosque, the Cabinet warned that Israeli practices and policies on destroying and interfering with the holy sites in East Jerusalem continue unstopped. The Cabinet called on the Arab league and the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Jerusalem committee to take immediate measures to activate their decisions regarding East Jerusalem and to provide the needed support to protect Al Aqsa Mosque and other Christian and Muslim holy sites.
Lebanese Parliament decision:
The cabinet welcomed the Lebanese Parliament decision to grant Palestinian refugees labor rights similar to those enjoyed by other foreign laborers working in Lebanon. The Cabinet expressed its gratitude to Lebanon for taking such a step and hoped that it will be followed with additional steps to grant full civil rights to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. These actions will counter attempts to naturalize Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, while serving to support the refugees` steadfastness until they can return to their homeland.
Pilgrimage season:
The cabinet expressed appreciation for the Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz grant to host 2000 Palestinian pilgrims which will include family members of prisoners in Israeli jails and martyrs and ex-detainees.
