Embassy of the State of Palestine

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. The Cabinet stressed that the death of the martyr Abu Hamdiya as a result of the policy of medical negligence as well as delay in diagnosis and treatment must compel the international community to mobilize effectively and seriously to protect the prisoners, especially those on hunger strike and who are ill, in particularSamer Al-Issawi whose health condition is seriously deteriorating.

In this context, the Cabinet called on the international community, particularly international human rights organizations, to investigate the circumstances of the treatment of detainees and the policy of medical negligence they sufferfrom, which led to the death of the martyr Abu Hamdiya and is threatening the lives of hundreds of prisoners who suffer from serious diseases, in particular the 25 patients suffering from cancer and other chronic diseases. The Cabinet also stressed the need to implement the resolutions adopted by the World Health Organization and the European Parliament on forming fact-finding mission toinvestigate the conditions of prisoners, especially the ill.

The Cabinet also strongly condemned the use of live fire against demonstrators and the use of the so-called non-lethal force in a lethal manner, which led to the killing of 2 youths from Anabta in Tulkarm. The Cabinet equally condemned the assault of Israeli soldiers on farmers south of Hebron, the closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque several times and banning the call to prayers from it several times, accompanying settlers in the repeated raids of Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound, and spraying racists slogans on mosques in Taqou’ as well as the increase of the frequency of settler attacks against citizens in the northern governorates.

The Cabinet renewed its sincere condolences to the family of prisoner Abu Hamdiya and to the prisoners' movement in general as well as our people in Palestine and the Diaspora, affirming that the contribution of the martyr Abu Hamdiya in our people's march for freedom and independence will remain an important part of our people's national memory. The Cabinet also presented its sincere condolences to the Nassar and Belbeisi families for the death of their two young sons Amer andMajed by occupation forces in Anabta last week.

The Council also declared Palestinian Prisoner Day, which is marked on 17 April of every year, a national and international day of solidarity with prisoners and their right to freedom. In this regard, the Council called on the public toactively participate in activities that will be organized in solidarity with prisoners and which call for raising international awareness of their plight at all levels as well as demand the provision of due legal protection in accordance with international humanitarian law. The Council also affirmed the need to treat prisoners in accordance with international treaties and covenants and to accord them all the rights stipulated in these treaties and covenants. In a related context, the Council extended its congratulations to the freedprisoner Ibrahim Baroud, for regaining his freedom after spending 27 years in occupation prisons.

The Minister of National Economy also briefed the Council on the boycott of Israeli settlement products. He affirmed that the government takes all possible measures to combat Israeli settlement products, through the Ministry of National Economy, customs control, and other monitoring mechanisms, to ensure the strictest monitoring of the entry of these products in the Palestinian and even international market. The Minister pointed to the marked success achieved in this regard, pointing to the amount of goods seized in 2012 and 2013 as well as the measures taken to present perpetrators involved to the courts in order take the necessary legal mesures against them, which include imprisonment, in accordance with the law. In this regard, it is important to highlight that the amount of goods seized in 2012 is three times the amount seized in 2011 andthat Palestinian labor employment in Israeli settlements fell by 25% in thesame period.

Additionally, the Minister of National Economy affirmed that the tasks assigned to the dignity fund are now undertaken by the consumer protection unit in the Ministry of National Economy, in accordance with the Combating Israeli Settlement Products Law. The Minister also further underscored that the government is providing all necessary financial and other means to successfully undertakethis national effort.

Finally, the Council renewed its affirmation of the commitment to implement minimum wage in the private and public sectors from 1 January 2013.