RAMALLAH, April 21, 2025 (WAFA) – The Government of Palestine views with extreme concern the arbitrary decision by the Israeli occupation authorities to ban the Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, Dr. Ashraf Al-Awar, from entering the West Bank for a period of six months. This decision, it stresses, constitutes a grave escalation and a blatant violation of international law and signed agreements.

The Government considered this move as a direct assault on its ability to perform its duties, and a deliberate attempt that seeks to further tightening the isolation of Jerusalem from its national and institutional surroundings.

 It is a calculated effort and part of a broader, systematic policy aimed at eroding the official Palestinian presence in the city and imposing unlawful fait accompli realities that serve Israel’s annexation and Judaization schemes.

In this context, the Palestinian Government and its diplomatic corps are actively continuing their efforts with Arab countries and the international community to thwart this dangerous decision and mobilize maximum pressure on the Israeli occupation government to rescind it immediately.

The Government affirmed that such policies will not deter it from upholding and fulfilling its responsibilities to defend Jerusalem and its people. It emphasizes that Jerusalemites are an integral part of the Palestinian people, and that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the State of Palestine.

Y.S