Palestinian leadership discusses unity, Jerusalem crisis

CAIRO – 25 July 2017: The Palestinian Prime Minister of the consensus government in Ramallah, Rami Al-Hamdallah, said on Tuesday that the Israeli government, as the occupying power, is fully responsible for the attack on Al-Aqsa mosque and for all to change its historical makeup by erasing its Palestinian-Arabic identity.

He also reiterated the call to all Palestinian factions, especially Hamas, to end the fragmentation and achieve the national unity for Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian cause. In addition, Al-Hamdallah announced that the Palestinian government will allocate $25 million to support the Palestinian people, organizations and merchants in Jerusalem.

Al-Hamdallah’s statement came during a government session on Tuesday held in the Town of Al-Ram to support al-Aqsa Mosque and the city of Jerusalem. Holding the meeting in Al-Ram Town is symbolic as the town is located in the Northern area of Jerusalem and is 7 km away from the holy city.

The Palestinian Prime Minster added that Palestinians reject all the alleged security measures by the occupation, stressing that Al-Aqsa Mosque represents a historical and legal right for the Palestinians, Arab and Muslim nations. He also said that Israel is attempting to destroy the peace process.

Al-Hamdallah, stressed that East Jerusalem will remain the eternal capital of Palestine including all Muslim and Christian holy places. He also called for a return to the status-quo before July 14.

The Prime Minister urged the United Nations, the Security Council, the Arab and Islamic States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to make all necessary efforts to prevent the Israeli Occupation aggression against Al-Aqsa Mosque and to provide international protection for the Palestinian people and the holy sites.

“The occupation actions breaches the international law and the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly resolutions including and most importantly the Fourth Geneva Convention. Hence, we call upon the international community to supports its decisions in accordance with the international law,” said Al-Hamdallah.

Furthermore, the Palestinian Presidential Spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rudeina, said on Tuesday that the Palestinian leadership will meet on Tuesday evening to discuss the recent escalations at Al-Aqsa Mosque and the city of Jerusalem, according to Maan News Agency. The meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, and Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, directed to hold it on Tuesday night.