Council of Ministers Warns of "Explosion of Conditions" Due to Escalating Settler Terrorism

SadaNews - The Council of Ministers emphasized the danger of the escalating terrorism of settler militias in the West Bank, under the protection of the occupation forces, which has resulted in the martyrdom of unarmed citizens and the widespread destruction and burning of property and mosques, reaching 225 cases of assault and 152 cases of incursions into Palestinian cities and villages within one week, according to the data from the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission. The council warned that the continuation of these aggressive policies and providing cover for settler violence will lead to an explosion for which the entities fueling it will bear the consequences.

The Council of Ministers also commended the efforts of several international organizations that continue their work in aiding our people in the Gaza Strip in coordination with government institutions, and their efforts to raise international awareness about the severity of the hunger crisis and food insecurity in Gaza, which is considered a serious humanitarian crime requiring urgent international action. Approximately 1.4 million Palestinians face severe levels of food insecurity, while 74,000 children need treatment for acute malnutrition, and 25,000 pregnant and nursing women require food support, amidst the occupation's restrictions on the entry of aid, ongoing funding shortages, and deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

In addition, the Council of Ministers referred to the president a draft law on the right to access information, considering it one of the important long-awaited laws that affirms the government’s approach to enhance governance, transparency, and good governance. This comes after long months of preparation and review, as well as dozens of consultation sessions with various official and civil society institutions, managed and sponsored by the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Ministry of Justice, with the participation of various related institutions.

The draft law emphasizes that access to information and its circulation is the norm, while exceptions to the prohibition of circulation must be limited and specified by law. Consequently, the law mandates the relevant authorities, once adopted and in effect, to collaborate and appoint a specialized employee or more, as needed, to provide the required information in accordance with the law and within the established legal timeframes.

In another context, the council approved the annual report on complaints in governmental institutions for the year 2025, which includes details of complaints submitted regarding government services in numerical form and by sectors, as well as the results of their review and handling, and the efforts of the complaints units in various government institutions under the supervision of the General Complaints Administration in the Council of Ministers. The complaints units dealt with about 93% of the complaints received within their competence, while efforts are ongoing to address the remaining percentage. In this regard, the Council of Ministers directed to enhance the role of complaints units in government institutions and expedite the procedures for following up on citizens' complaints.

Moreover, the council ratified the stabilization of the debts of several local authorities regarding electricity and water bills, ensuring the rights of various parties, as part of the government's efforts to complete the financial settlements file that has been pending for many years, which enhances the governance of the work of municipalities and village councils and improves their classification, operational efficiency, and the potential for obtaining infrastructure projects and greater support.

The council also ratified an agreement between the Ministry of Social Development and the United Nations Housing Fund, aimed at enhancing the social protection system for vulnerable groups, and implementing care, guidance, and support programs.