Vice President of the State of Palestine Hussein Sheikh Briefs Accredited Ambassadors on Latest Political, Humanitarian Developments, Israeli Violations, and National Reform Program

SadaNews - The Vice President of the State of Palestine, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Mr. Hussein Sheikh, met today, Wednesday, at the presidential headquarters via video conference, with ambassadors and heads of resident and non-resident missions accredited to the State of Palestine. This meeting aims to inform the brotherly countries and international partners about the latest political, humanitarian, and economic developments in Palestine, as well as the grave dangers facing our Palestinian people in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza.

Sheikh emphasized at the beginning of the meeting that the Palestinian people are facing unprecedented challenges at the political, economic, and humanitarian levels due to the ongoing Israeli occupation, the failure to adhere to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, increased settlement activities, settler terrorism, and the withholding of Palestinian funds, all of which undermine opportunities for achieving peace and a two-state solution.

Sheikh provided an overview of the current field and political developments, highlighting the continuous escalation in the Palestinian territories due to the policies of the Israeli occupation government, including ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in a severe and ongoing humanitarian disaster, alongside continued assaults on our people in the West Bank, an increase in settlement activities, land seizures, and attempts to undermine the foundational elements of an independent Palestinian state.

The Vice President reviewed the developments in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that the Palestinian priority is achieving an immediate and permanent ceasefire, ensuring the full flow of humanitarian aid, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the commencement of recovery and reconstruction processes. He also stressed that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the State of Palestine and that the Palestinian state continues to provide support and essential services to our people in the sector despite the severe financial crisis.

Regarding the situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Sheikh pointed to the serious escalation in settlement policies, land confiscation, military incursions, and settler terrorism, and the continuous violations against Jerusalem and Islamic and Christian holy sites, warning that these policies undermine peace prospects and push towards further tension and instability. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the historical and legal status of Islamic and Christian holy sites.

Sheikh also addressed the crisis of Palestinian funds withheld by Israel, explaining that the continued illegal withholding and deductions have caused a severe financial crisis that has affected the Palestinian government's ability to meet its basic obligations, urging the international community to intensify its efforts to release these Palestinian funds.

In another context, Sheikh informed the ambassadors about the ongoing dialogue with the U.S. administration, the efforts being made to strengthen bilateral relations, end punitive measures, and restore the withheld Palestinian funds. He also highlighted the importance of committing to halting unilateral actions and supporting the implementation of President Trump's plan and UN Security Council Resolution 2803 regarding the Gaza Strip, reaffirming that the Gaza Strip is part of the Palestinian state.

The Vice President reviewed the national reform program being implemented by the State of Palestine, affirming that reform represents a strategic national option aimed at enhancing governance, the rule of law, transparency, accountability, developing public services, and empowering women and youth. He pointed to the steps taken in areas of financial, administrative, and judicial reform as well as the development of social protection and education systems.

He also discussed the roadmap for elections and renewing national legitimacy, indicating what has been achieved in electoral entitlements during the past period and the ongoing preparations for holding the Palestinian National Council and conducting legislative and presidential elections according to the law, which will allow comprehensive participation from all segments of the Palestinian people.

Sheikh reiterated that the two-state solution, based on international legitimacy and UN resolutions, is the only solution capable of achieving peace, security, and stability, calling on the international community to take practical steps to end the occupation and realize the independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He emphasized the importance of the international community assuming its responsibilities and taking practical and effective steps to stop the aggression and Israeli violations, ensure the protection of the Palestinian people, and cease actions that undermine the two-state solution, asserting that the current phase requires international positions that go beyond statements of condemnation to real actions that contribute to ending the occupation and realizing the independence of the State of Palestine.

In conclusion, the Vice President expressed his appreciation for the political, economic, and humanitarian support provided by brotherly and friendly countries to Palestine, emphasizing the importance of continuing this support in light of the exceptional circumstances faced by the Palestinian people.

Present at the meeting were members of the Central Committee of the "Fatah" movement Dr. Moussa Abu Zaid, and Dr. Leila Ghannam, Executive Committee members of the Palestine Liberation Organization Bassem Salhi, and Dr. Ahmed Majdalani, in addition to the President's diplomatic advisor Dr. Majdi Khalidi, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Varsin Agabekian Shahin.