Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh said, “Palestine needs strong international support to overcome political and financial challenges, strengthen reform efforts, and advance development plans,” considering that investment in Palestine is an investment in peace and stability in the region.

This came in his speech during the AHLC donors’ meeting, today, Wednesday, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, which was chaired by Norwegian Foreign Minister Annekin Hoitfeldt, in the presence of foreign ministers and representatives of 30 countries and international institutions, and in the presence of Finance Minister Shukri Bishara.

The Prime Minister expressed his thanks to Norway, which hosted this meeting, and the international community that has supported Palestine, since the Oslo Accord, which coincided with the 30th anniversary of its signing.

He also welcomed the joint European-Arab effort to revive the Arab Peace Initiative, as well as the efforts of the United States to bring the parties to the table.

He said: "It is clear to all of us that the Oslo Agreement has evaporated in all aspects: security, political, legal and financial, as Israel violates the agreement every day with its illegal measures."

The Prime Minister called on the international community to protect the two-state solution through effective measures, recognizing the State of Palestine and approving its membership in the United Nations and international institutions, and enforcing international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334, which explicitly prohibits trade in settlement goods and dealing with Settler institutions, and holding Israel accountable for its human rights violations.

He continued: "The Israeli government is systematically working to undermine the establishment of the Palestinian state and push the National Authority to the brink of collapse through its daily invasions of our villages, cities and camps, as it works to reoccupy the West Bank and accelerate the pace of building and expanding settlements."

He continued: "This Israeli government is inciting the Israelis to take up arms against the Palestinians, and since the beginning of this year, it has killed 241 Palestinians, and in Israeli prisons there are 5,200 Palestinian prisoners. It also keeps the bodies of 142 martyrs in refrigerators, and 256 other martyrs in the cemeteries of numbers."

He continued: "The Israeli government includes ministers accused of terrorist acts, and they cannot be considered partners in peace, neither for us nor for the international community, and the changes it is making to the Israeli judicial system will lead to accelerating the confiscation of lands and facilitating the killing of Palestinians."

He said: “These devastating measures, and many others, ignite open conflict within a contemporary apartheid regime, de jure and de facto.” Pointing out that demographics plays a role in this conflict, as today the number of Palestinians outnumbers Israeli Jews in historic Palestine.

He continued: "The Israeli government has caused a severe financial crisis. It is illegally withholding our money under false pretexts, in addition to uncontrolled deductions related to electricity, water and sewage bills."

He added: “The systematic piracy of Palestinian funds has now exceeded $800 million annually, exceeding our annual deficit by $200 million, which has affected our ability to fulfill our obligations and pay public sector salaries in full. At the same time, international aid has declined significantly, with From 30% of our budget to only 3%.”

The Prime Minister stressed: “Despite the great challenges, our commitment to serving our people remains steadfast. We adhere to our responsibilities towards them wherever they are, whether they are under the Israeli siege in the Gaza Strip, or under Israeli control in Area C and occupied Jerusalem, or in camps.” Refugees in Lebanon and Syria: We bear national and political responsibility towards our people, even when collecting taxes is not possible.”

The Prime Minister briefed the meeting on the significant progress made in implementing the reform agenda, as the Civil Service Law was amended, the electronic services system was implemented, the Penal Code criminalizing torture was issued, amendments were made to the tax system, medical referrals, and health insurance, and a new law for companies was issued in line with standards. International law, ICT law and the establishment of a new independent telecommunications regulatory body. In addition to holding elections for local authorities, chambers of commerce, student councils, trade unions and trade unions.

The Prime Minister called on those gathered to make every effort to put pressure on Israel to enable us to hold elections in all parts of Palestine, including Jerusalem.

He said that the government is about to finalize the development plan for the years 2024-2029, which is based on a set of goals, which are strengthening the steadfastness of our people, gradually breaking away from the relationship of dependency with the occupation by expanding the production base of the Palestinian economy and diversifying the trade relationship, in addition to strengthening and improving services in public institutions. And strengthening the Palestinian narrative.

For his part, Finance Minister Shukri Bishara warned that Israeli economic practices exacerbate the authority’s financial crisis, as stopping monetary deductions will lead to revenue growth of more than $200 million annually.

He said: "If the Israeli authorities agree to transfer customs authority to us and give us approval to establish a network of customs warehouses, the expected increase in customs revenues will not be less than $300 million annually."

He noted that by transferring our share of crossing fees and all previous dues in this area, Palestinian revenues will be enhanced this year by approximately $200 million, and no less than $20 million annually.

He stated that if the Israeli authorities agree to impose Palestinian sovereignty in Area C and exercise our rights to build and operate, the economic benefit that will be generated will transform the Palestinian economy.