Ramallah: Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said on Tuesday that security, stability, and peace in the region can only be achieved through ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent, contiguous, and viable Palestinian state in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. The Prime Minister made these remarks during a joint briefing session and meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office with European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka €š¬…¡¬¦ uica, attended by the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process Christophe Bigot, the European Union Representative to Palestine Alexandre Stutzmann, and Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Stephan Salameh.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, addressing Israeli policies, the Prime Minister stated that Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem, are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic policy aimed at dismantling Palestinian existence and undermining the two-State solution. Mustafa highlighted the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip and the humanitarian catastrophe it has caused as central to these policies.
The Prime Minister further noted the expansion of settlements, de facto annexation of Palestinian land, and systematic settler attacks supported by Israeli protection. He cited escalating restrictions on freedom of movement and attacks on religious and cultural sites as efforts to create irreversible facts on the ground. Mustafa emphasized that the financial blockade and withholding of Palestinian funds by Israel threaten the sustainability of Palestinian institutions, with losses to the Palestinian economy estimated at $11 billion annually.
Despite these challenges, Mustafa affirmed that the Palestinian Government continues to implement reform agendas and strengthen public institutions in coordination with the European Union and international partners. He called for international support, particularly from the EU, to safeguard the two-State solution and halt Israeli practices that violate international law.
The Prime Minister also declared that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of Palestine and called for efforts to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which includes securing a ceasefire and providing humanitarian relief. He commended the resilience of the Palestinian people and emphasized that supporting their resilience represents an investment in regional peace and stability.
European Commissioner Dubravka €š¬…¡¬¦ uica reiterated the EU's support for Palestine, emphasizing the importance of strong Palestinian institutions. She criticized settlement expansion and settler attacks as detrimental to reform efforts and highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza.