Mustafa Discusses with British Minister Ways to Overcome the Difficult Political and Economic Reality

SadaNews - Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa discussed with the British Minister of State for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, ways to enhance joint cooperation to face the political and economic challenges facing the Palestinian people, and to advance the political process based on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, and the New York Declaration issued last year as one of the outcomes of the high-level international conference to settle the Palestinian issue, which supports the implementation of the two-state solution according to a comprehensive and binding roadmap and a clear timeframe.

This came during a phone call received by the Prime Minister today, Wednesday, from Minister Falconer, during which he reviewed the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, particularly the rising attacks by settlers and settlement expansion in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, as well as the stalled transitional arrangements following the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, and the worsening humanitarian and living conditions for citizens accompanying that.

Mustafa emphasized the importance of intensifying international efforts to protect the Palestinian people and to stop the unilateral Israeli actions that undermine the chances of achieving peace and stability, stressing the need to provide the necessary political and economic support to enhance the resilience of citizens and enable Palestinian institutions to perform their tasks.

The call also addressed the prospects for enhancing bilateral cooperation between Palestine and Britain, especially following the United Kingdom's recognition of the State of Palestine. The two sides discussed ways to support the Palestinian economy and mitigate the effects of Israeli actions that hinder its growth, including the continued withholding of clearance funds, the shekel congestion crisis, and the illegal measures targeting the Palestinian private sector, especially the banking sector.

In this context, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of the international community taking responsibility to stop the Israeli policies that violate international law, calling on Britain to take more effective steps to deter settlement expansion, in light of the noticeable increase in its pace, especially the "E1" settlement plan, due to the serious threat it poses to the opportunities for establishing an independent Palestinian state.

Mustafa called for additional practical measures, including banning settlement products and activating international accountability mechanisms, to ensure respect for international law and international legitimacy resolutions, and to contribute to protecting the two-state solution and preserving opportunities for achieving a just and lasting peace in the region.