Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah, has said that ending the Israeli occupation “is a must to achieve economic development, to attain Palestinian rights and to secure a bright future to the Palestinian people according to the 1967 boundaries.”
Hamdallah spoke at the United Nations’ Conference for Palestine Donors on Tuesday, at which various world leaders and political leaders were present, including the US Secretary of the State, John Kerry.
He noted the critical financial situation of the Palestinian government due to the budget deficit since 2011, calling for supporting Palestine politically and financially and keeping the Palestinian cause a top priority.
We cannot grow our economy as long as Israel keeps occupying our land and appropriating our resources #AHLC pic.twitter.com/b4bpYCr2ly
— Rami Hamdallah (@RamiHamdalla) September 20, 2016
Alhamdallah asserted, “The Israeli occupation continues to implement its expansion policy in the Palestinian Territories by building more settlements and imposing restrictions on Palestinians in Area C, in addition to exploiting the natural resources of Palestine and continuing to impose the Gaza siege.”
The Palestinian Prime Minister urged donor countries to support the Palestinian government so that it could take up its responsibilities, adding, “This financial support must be accompanied by a political one, which guarantees ending the Israeli occupation which is the only way to achieve a lasting and just peace.”
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund presented their annual reports to the conference, which revealed that the Israeli occupation is the main obstacle to the Palestinian government and its ability to achieve sustainable development.
(PC, SAMA)
