Ramallah / PNN/
Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa emphasized that Israel must be held accountable for its actions and that the international community must recognize the sheer scale devastation in Gaza. At the same time, he stressed, the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, must not be overlooked—particularly the destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure, the systematic forced displacement of our people from their homes in Palestinian towns and refugee camps in the West Bank, and the attacks on the holy sites in Jerusalem and Hebron.
"We are at a critical juncture for Palestine," Mustafa stated. "While the world witnesses the ongoing tragedy in Gaza and the breakdown of the ceasefire by Israel, we cannot remain silent about the grave violations of international law and rights of the Palestinian people. In just the past 60 days, Israel has forcibly displaced 50,000 Palestinians from refugee camps in Jenin and Tulkarem, demolishing their homes in a blatant attempt to undermine our people's resolve and their right to live in their homeland in dignity and peace."
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a joint press conference with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, held on Monday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Ramallah.
Mustafa highlighted various Israeli measures aimed at undermining the Palestinian Government's ability to function, including ongoing military incursions and the continued illegal withholding of Palestinian tax revenues, which severely impact the Government’s ability to provide basic services to the Palestinian people such as healthcare, education, and social protection.
"We appreciate the European Union’s support for the Palestinian Government and its call for assuming responsibility across all the occupied Palestinian Territory, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem," Mustafa said, reaffirming the sole legitimate political representation of the Palestinian people under one government, one law, and one authority.
The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to the EU for supporting Palestine’s pursuit of justice and independence, urging continued international efforts to end the occupation and hold Israel accountable. "The EU’s recognition of our legitimate rights has been a source of hope for the Palestinian people as we continue to work towards securing a future of peace and justice for all," he underscored.
Mustafa further extended his deep appreciation to the EU for supporting the government’s reform agenda and the Gaza reconstruction plan. He called on the EU to actively participate and contribute to the upcoming donor conference for Gaza’s reconstruction, set to take place in Cairo—an essential step toward aiding Gaza’s recovery and supporting the Palestinian people.
Additionally, the Prime Minister urged the EU to play an active role in the upcoming United Nations conference in New York on the Question of Palestine, which will focus on the implementation of the two-State solution. He expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia and France for their leadership and co-chairing this pivotal conference, emphasizing that Palestine’s future hinges on a just and lasting solution that guarantees the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, independence, and return.
