Ramallah: Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa met on Wednesday with a German official delegation led by State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office, Bernhard Kotsch. The meeting, which was also attended by Germany's Representative to Palestine, Anke Schlimm, focused on the bilateral relations between the two sides and the latest political, economic, and humanitarian developments in the occupied Palestinian Territory.
According to Palestine news and Information Agency, Prime Minister Mustafa emphasized the critical timing of the visit amidst the challenging circumstances facing the Palestinian cause and the region. He praised Germany's supportive stance on the two-state solution and its role in backing efforts aimed at achieving stability and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people.
During the meeting, Mustafa informed the German delegation about the ongoing Israeli escalation, highlighting the attacks by occupation forces and colonists in the occupied West Bank. He pointed out the increasing violence against citizens and their property, along with the movement restrictions imposed by military checkpoints and closures. Mustafa also criticized the continued colonization policies and unilateral measures that hinder peace prospects.
The Prime Minister expressed concern over the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, citing continuous Israeli violations of the ceasefire and obstacles to humanitarian aid entry. He stressed the need for tangible progress in addressing the humanitarian crisis, enhancing relief efforts, and advancing reconstruction activities.
Mustafa underscored the political and legal authority of the Palestinian government over the entire occupied Palestinian Territory, including Gaza. He highlighted the importance of supporting the unity of Palestinian institutions and enabling the government to fulfill its responsibilities across all territories.
He urged the international community to pressure Israel to release withheld Palestinian clearance revenues, which directly affect the government's ability to fulfill its obligations to citizens. Mustafa also called for an end to colonists' violence and unilateral Israeli actions that threaten the establishment of a geographically contiguous Palestinian state.
In response, the German State Secretary reaffirmed Germany's commitment to monitoring developments in the occupied Palestinian Territory. He reiterated Germany's support for the two-state solution and rejection of unilateral Israeli measures, particularly settlement plans in the E1 area, which threaten peace prospects.
The German official emphasized the need to halt attacks by occupation forces and colonists and ensure the immediate entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip to address the deepening crisis. He reiterated Germany's support for humanitarian and development efforts, and its collaboration with international partners to promote stability and political progress.