During its weekly meeting held in Ramallah today, the Palestinian Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Shtayyeh:
· Rejected the US administration announcement on holding an international economic "workshop" late June to encourage investment in the region including Palestine, as the first part of the Trump Administration so-called "Deal of the Century". "The resolution of the conflict in Palestine is political, which is related to ending of the Israeli occupation and achieving the national rights of the Palestinian people including the establishment of an independent and sovereign state on the borders of June 4, 1967 with Jerusalem as its capital and the right of return for refugees based on the resolutions of international legitimacy and international law." The cabinet stated, “The economic issue is a direct outcome of the political solution, the Palestinian people and leadership are not looking to improve their conditions and achieve prosperity under the longest occupation in modern history. In addition, the leadership and the government were not consulted on any future "workshops” neither in the inputs, outputs, recommendations, or content.” The cabinet added.
· Clarified that the current financial crisis experienced in Palestine is a direct product of the financial war imposed on the Palestinian leadership and people aimed for political blackmail. "We will never surrender to any extortion, and we will never exchange the national rights of our people for any sort of economic packages or political money." the cabinet stated.
· Reiterated its full rejection of the arbitrary Israeli measures related to the deduction of the Palestinian tax revenues. The cabinet called upon Israel, the Occupying Power, to return the funds in its full amounts and called the international community to immediately intervene to release the funds and to establish an international auditing mechanism to monitor any Israeli illegal cuts related to the water, electricity and other sectors.
· Stressed that the government has completed its work plan for the 100 days, pointing out that since day one the government has been working to complete a short-term plan that will cost $ 245 million measured by a 176 key performance indicator. "The key strategic pillars of the plan will focus on encouraging the industrial, agricultural, and tourism production. Moreover, reducing unemployment, combating poverty, and strengthening the role of women and youth. In addition, to improving education, vocational training, protecting public freedoms, and promoting transparency. Furthermore, creating entrepreneurship projects, businesses, technological initiatives, and promoting investments in clean energy and protecting water resources." the cabinet added.
· Welcomed the convening of the Arab emergency summit upon the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz at the end of this month. The cabinet also welcomed the participation of H.E President Mahmoud Abbas and affirmed its full support for the outcome of this emergency summit.
· Expressed its sincere gratitude to the private sector for its position that is consistent with the national solid position rejecting the so-called "Deal of the Century"
