RAMALLAH, Monday, April 29, 2019 (WAFA) - The Palestinian cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, welcomed during its weekly meeting held in Ramallah President Mahmoud Abbas chairing of the weekly cabinet meeting, and affirmed his position not to receive the incomplete tax funds from Israel.
The cabinet also congratulated the Palestinian people on the International Labor Day, and reduced the official working hours by two during holy Ramadan.
The Cabinet, according to the following statement:
Welcomed President Abbas chairing of the weekly cabinet meeting, with the presence of Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, where Abbas briefed the ministerial cabinet members on the latest political situation, stressing the need for the government to exert utmost efforts to serve the Palestinian people in all places of their residence, especially, with all the exceptional difficulties and challenges facing the government mandate, including the financial crisis created by the occupation government.
The cabinet affirmed President Abbas position not to receive the cut tax funds from Israel, especially the funds of the families of the martyrs and prisoners. In addition, Abbas pointed out that Palestine requested the Arab countries to provide a financial safety net worth of 100 million dollars.
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of implementing the reconciliation agreement held in Cairo on 12/10/2017 by Hamas.
The cabinet stressed on President Abbas statement to pay special attention to the vital sectors serving the Palestinian citizens and to encourage investments in the industrial zones, including the development of renewable energy and the healthcare sector, which consist of building hospitals, strengthening medical staff, and providing medical equipment. In addition to modernizing medical education to localize treatment, stop the medical external remittances, and absorbs patients from abroad for treatment. Furthermore, to preserve the education system and build strong national generations. As well as, to maintain the agricultural sector and water sources and maximize their effectiveness.
On that note, the cabinet emphasized that the government will exert its utmost efforts to implement the directives of the President and expressed its sincere appreciation for his confidence and support in the work of the government.
The cabinet congratulated all the Palestinian people in Occupied Palestine, in refugee camps, and in the diaspora, on the arrival of holy Ramadan, wishing the Islamic and Arab nation spiritual richness, prosperity, and progress.
In the same context, the cabinet announced that the paid salaries for April will increase from 50% to 60%, calling upon the local businesses not to increase prices during the holy month, in line with the difficult economic conditions experienced by our people.
Furthermore, the cabinet announced the formation of a ministerial committee consisting of the ministry of economy, agriculture, and health to strengthen the control of products, commodities, and foodstuffs in the local market during Ramadan.
It congratulated the workers of Palestine on May 1st, the International Labor Day, stating: "The workers‘ rights lie at the core priorities of the government and its working to establish a foundation of equality and social justice for all". Furthermore, the cabinet declared May 1st, 2019 as an official holiday on this occasion.
The cabinet initiated the preparation for a comprehensive economic development program according to the clusters system aimed to achieve sustainable competitive advantages for the Palestinian economy and develop and encourage investments in all sectors.
It formed the National Commission for the Protection and Empowerment of Women, which includes various institutions and actors concerned with women‘s issues and restructured the Ministerial Committee of the Al-Quds Program, Capital of Islamic Culture.
T.R.
