Embassy of the State of Palestine

Sent on April 7, this letter discusses the tragic death of the Palestinian prisoner Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh and Israel's deliberate negligence of the medical conditions of Palestinian prisoners . It also stresses that Israel and other members of the international community must comply with the Geneva Conventions and establish anindependent international fact-finding mission to investigate the circumstances surrounding Abu Hamdiyeh's death and the other Palestinian political prisoners who have died in Israeli prisons

In a letter sent by the Palestinian Ambassador to UN Dr. Riyad Mansour to UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon, the Ambassador attracted the attention of the General Secretary and SC members of the Israeli continuous killing of Palestinian protesters against Israeli occupation and its brutal and illegal practices.

During its weekly meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayyad, the Cabinet confirmed that the continued intransigence of the Israeli government, especially with regard to the harassment of prisoners, the policy of medical negligence, and the targeting of civilians reflect a determination to increase tension and materialize a reality of oppression and contempt towards international law. The Cabinet affirmed that the lack of effective intervention by the international community to put an end to these violations constitutes encouragement for Israel, even if indirectly, and further entrenches the culture of impunity and contempt for international law.

Prime Minister Salam Fayyad expresses his deep sorrow and sincere condolences to the
nation
and
prisoner
movement
for the death of prisoner Maisara Abu Hamdiya, who died this Tuesday morning
in Israeli custody. The Prime Minister also extends his condolences to the family of the prisoner and to our freedom defenders in prison as well as all our people in the country and the Diaspora. The Prime Minister expresses his conviction that the distinguished role that the martyr prisoner had in the national struggle for freedom and his contributions to the just cause of our people will remain alive in our national memory and continued struggle for freedom.

Prime Minister Salam Fayad emphasized our people's determination to achieve freedom and independence, and our national right to development and prosperity on our land. The Prime Minister made that statement as he planted olive trees in Bab Al-Shams village this Saturday to mark the thirty-seventh anniversary of Land Day. He added, "We are here in Bab Al-Shams village to plant olive trees in commemoration of Land Day and to reiterate that our people's presence in Bab Al-Shams and every corner of our land will remain deeply rooted, just like olive trees are rooted in our land".

Jerusalem is the center of Palestinian identity and the source of its cultural, historical, and spiritual heritage. It is also the natural socio-economic and political center of Palestine due to its commercial vitality, historical significance, and geographic centrality in connecting the northern and southern parts of Palestine.

During its weekly meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister, Dr. Salam Fayyad, the Cabinet was briefed by the Prime Minister on the ongoing discussions and consultations about the draft budget bill, including the latest meeting held by the Coalition of Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) on Monday, which was attended by civil society representatives and experts. The Cabinet affirmed it shall conclude its discussion on the draft budget bill upon completion of consultations.

On 19 March 2013, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), in its 22nd session, voted nearly unanimously to adopt four texts regarding the situation in the Occupied State of Palestine, including East Jerusalem.

The retired Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Michal Sabbah, has pointed out that Christians and Muslims living in the Holy Land "have needed military permission to pray since 1993". Archbishop Sabbah was speaking in the context of another high-profile visitor to Israel - Barack Obama who won’t make a difference to the conditions for Palestinians.
"All world leaders visit us," he told Italian news agency AKI, "they come and go, but our reality has not changed. We keep living in the same conditions."

The Council calls upon Israel to comply with relevant resolutions and to desist from its continuous building of settlements. The Council determines that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken or to be taken by Israel that seek to alter the character and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan are null and void and have no legal effect. The Council requests the Secretary-General to report on this matter to the Council at its twenty-fifth session.