RAMALLAH, October 1, 2026 (WAFA) — Vice President of the State of Palestine Hussein al-Sheikh met on Thursday with Belgium’s Consul General to the State of Palestine, Ambassador Anick Van Calster, and Deputy Consul General Nadia Benini to discuss the latest political and field developments and a number of issues of mutual concern.
During their meeting in Ramallah, al-Sheikh reviewed the political, security, and economic situation in the West Bank and Jerusalem amid continued settler attacks, settlement expansion, and Israeli measures targeting Palestinians and their property. He also addressed the continued withholding of Palestinian funds and the resulting severe economic and living conditions facing Palestinians, as well as its impact on the Palestinian government’s ability to meet its obligations.
The two sides also discussed preparations for the upcoming Palestinian elections. Al-Sheikh stressed the importance of holding the elections in accordance with the applicable legal and constitutional frameworks to ensure their integrity and transparency and strengthen Palestinian democratic life, as well as the unity of the political system and national institutions.
Al-Sheikh praised Belgium’s positions in support of the Palestinian people, stressing the importance of continued cooperation and coordination and support for efforts to protect the Palestinian people, strengthen their resilience, and empower their national institutions.
The meeting also addressed the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip and the catastrophic humanitarian conditions it has caused. Al-Sheikh stressed the need to intensify international efforts to end the war, alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, and launch recovery and reconstruction efforts in a manner that preserves the unity of the Palestinian land, people, and political system.
For her part, the Belgian consul general reaffirmed her country’s continued support for the Palestinian people and its commitment to maintaining cooperation with Palestinian institutions and strengthening bilateral relations across various fields.
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