Palestine Cabinet Meeting Statement (9)
Press Release Ramallah-Tuesday 20/8/2013
Palestine Cabinet Meeting Statement (9)
Cabinet confirms its full support for the efforts of the President and the Palestinian leadership to achieve the legitimate national rights of our people
Cabinet decides to reduce electricity tariff for domestic consumers and productive sectors
Cabinet stressed during its meeting in Ramallah, chaired by Dr. Rami Hamdallah, the Prime Minister of the caretaker government, its full support for the efforts of the President and the Palestinian leadership to achieve the legitimate national rights of our people and the continuation of government responsibilities in meeting the needs of citizens and enhancing their steadfastness, in addition to the advancement of the economic situation with the continued consultations to form the sixteenth government. In this context, Cabinet hailed the American grant provided by the U.S. administration to support the general budget of $148 million, calling on donor and Arab countries to provide more support so the Palestinian National Authority can fulfill its obligations and thus contribute to building state institutions, particularly in the health and education sectors and in meeting the basic needs of citizens.
Cabinet condemned the continued violations carried out by the Israeli army and settlers against Palestinian civilians and their properties in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, the latest of which was the approval of the Israeli government to build thousands of settlement units in the West Bank, the activation of the Absentee Property Law in Jerusalem which allows the confiscation of Palestinians’ properties in the city, the murder of a young Palestinian on the borders in Gaza, the firing on fishermen off the coast of Gaza which led to the injury of many of them, in addition to the direct shooting on a young man in Jenin which led to his death, the demolition of Al Kana’neh Bedouin houses by occupation bulldozers in East Jerusalem and the burning of agricultural fields, the beating of citizens, the pelting of Palestinian vehicles by settlers in Nablus and the frequent storming into Al Aqsa under the protection of occupation forces.
Cabinet considered the escalation of Israeli actions as a confirmation of the insistence of the Israeli government to undermine all the opportunities in front of negotiations, calling for the international community led by the United States to pressure Israel to halt settlements’ activities and the policy of Judaization and compel it to abide by international laws and conventions to remove the obstacles put in the face of the peace process and end the occupation in order to achieve the two state solution on the basis of 1967 borders.
In a related context, Cabinet congratulated Palestinian prisoners detained before Oslo for their release and considered it as a prelude to the release of the rest of them, and in this context the Cabinet demanded the international community to pressure Israel to release the rest of the prisoners, particularly ill ones who suffer from serious diseases that might lead to their death, and the release of prisoners on hunger strike especially after the deterioration of health status of some of them.
Cabinet affirmed its full support for the Egyptian people and leadership in the defense of Egypt's security and future, it also expressed its sorrow and grief for the victims of the terrorist attack that killed 24 Egyptian soldiers, stressing its confidence triumph of Egypt, its people and its army and its return to play its role in the leadership of the Arab nation to defend their rights and issues especially the Palestinian cause.
Cabinet listened to a report from the Interior Minister about security situation, who expressed his grief of the events and crimes that led to the death of a number of citizens and praised the role of the security agencies in the detection of the perpetrators and providing safety and security for the Palestinian people, Cabinet stressed the insistence of the Palestinian National Authority to continue to devote the rule of law and public order.
Cabinet also listened to a report from the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, who stressed that the economic track is not a substitute for the political process, and its success requires an Israeli commitment to remove all the obstacles placed in front of the investment opportunities for the advancement of the economic situation.
Cabinet decided to reduce electricity tariff for consumers of domestic and productive sectors so as to reduce the electricity tariff for the first two tranches by 2% in addition to reducing 5% for the productive sectors (industrial, agriculture, water pumps) in all provinces of the country, for Jericho and Jordan Valley, Cabinet decided to unify the household consumption segment and reduce the tariff by 10% in addition to the reduction of the same percentage for the productive sectors (industry, agriculture, water pumps).
Cabinet approved the national strategy for the development of official statistics 2014 - 2018, which aims to promote the use of statistics in decision-making, strengthening the partnership between users and producers in the statistical system, enhance the quality of statistics and increase the use of administrative records for statistical purposes.
Cabinet approved on the statute of the International Islamic Court of Justice, which was signed in a meeting for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Azerbaijan, under which the court is considered as the principal judicial organ of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and operate according to the provisions of the charter of the organization to consider the issues between the Member States.
Cabinet hailed the Palestinian teachers' roles and sacrifices, stressing its awareness of the suffering of teachers and the government's insistence on promoting education sector in accordance with the possibilities available.
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