Bethlehem: Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa affirmed on Tuesday that more than 19 months have passed since the start of the ongoing Israeli aggression, which began with a series of bloody crimes that continue to cost the Palestinian people their lives, land, and resources.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the Prime Minister stated during the Cabinet session convened in Bethlehem that the Palestinian leadership, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, is diligently working to overcome the grave crisis in a way that serves the higher national interests of the Palestinian people. Prime Minister Mustafa emphasized that the destructive policies and practices pursued by the Israeli occupation are primarily aimed at undermining the Palestinian national project and preventing the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. He asserted a commitment to thwarting these attempts.
The Prime Minister extended greetings to the steadfast Palestinian people everywhere, especially in Bethlehem Governorate. He noted the significance of meeting in Bethlehem, a symbol of peace, to address the situation in this resilient area that, like all parts of the homeland, has suffered from the occupation's actions and ongoing aggression, whether in Gaza or the northern West Bank.
He also welcomed recent international positions, particularly the joint statement issued by the United Kingdom, France, and Canada, as well as statements by European leaders and friendly countries. These positions called for an end to the aggression, an immediate halt to the famine in Gaza, and the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid. The statements further warned of concrete measures should Israel continue its renewed military offensive, while affirming support for a political path that ends the occupation and leads to the realization of an independent Palestinian state.
Mustafa expressed appreciation to representatives of diplomatic missions, international organizations, and media outlets who joined the field visit to Tulkarm, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to witness the current situation amid ongoing Israeli aggression. He highlighted that a second visit is scheduled in Jenin to further illuminate the impact of Israeli occupation aggression in the governorate.
During the session, the Cabinet approved key decisions and interventions for Bethlehem across multiple sectors, including healthcare, justice, public works, transportation, tourism, economy, and labor. Additionally, the Cabinet instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates to intensify international engagement to expose violations committed by Israeli occupation forces and colonists. The Ministry was directed to address recent attacks on Palestinian citizens and property, including repeated assaults on Solomon's Pools, and to urgently engage UNESCO and other relevant international institutions.
