Today, Monday, the Council of Ministers approved the general framework of the strategic plan for social assistance to enable the provision of services and in-kind and cash assistance to needy groups in accordance with standards of transparency, justice and entitlement.

The Council also adopted, in its weekly session held in the city of Ramallah, headed by Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh, the national framework for industrial policy.

He ratified cooperation agreements with a number of South American countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, and Paraguay.

It was decided to consider Thursday, September 28, 2023, as an official holiday on the occasion of the anniversary of the Prophet’s birthday.

He also decided to form a ministerial committee to implement the hydrocarbon law, and approved the project to develop the Tal al-Sultan site in the city of Jericho.

The Council of Ministers also decided to provide assistance to a number of institutions in Jerusalem and Gaza, assign government departments to follow up on the work of the formed government committees, and accelerate the implementation of government decisions according to the specified timetables.

The Council heard from the Minister of Social Development, Ahmed Majdalani, an explanation about the strategic plan for social assistance, which would provide services and cash and in-kind assistance to needy groups by adopting standards of transparency and justice.

He also heard from the Minister of National Economy, Khaled Al-Asili, an explanation about the national framework for industrial policy for the year 2024-2029, based on a comprehensive review of all relevant materials.

The Council of Ministers congratulated the Palestinian people and the Arab and Islamic worlds on the occasion of the anniversary of the Prophet’s birthday, which falls the day after tomorrow, Wednesday, the twelfth of Rabi’ al-Awwal 1445 AH, saluting the steadfastness of our people in the city of Jerusalem, the protectors of “Al-Aqsa” and “Resurrection,” and the protectors of the capital.

In his speech at the beginning of the session, Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh said that President Mahmoud Abbas stressed in his speech at the United Nations the Palestinian national constants, the importance of curbing the Israeli aggression against our people and our capabilities, and relying on United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative in any future solution.

He added that he participated in the Sustainable Development Goals summit at the United Nations, and showed the world that development is incomplete and regresses under occupation, and for the foundations of development to be complete, national independence and control over natural and national capabilities must be achieved.

He continued: We also participated in the meeting of donor countries, which was chaired by the Norwegian Foreign Minister, in the presence of more than 46 countries. The attendees unanimously condemned settlements and all unilateral measures that undermine the two-state solution and are being carried out by Israel. Most of the attendees demanded that Israel allow the Palestinians to hold general elections, including Jerusalem.

The attendees welcomed the reform steps taken by the government with the support of the President, and affirmed their continued support for UNRWA and Palestine. We presented to the world our financial needs and the impact of the Israeli cuts on our ability to fulfill our obligations. We also presented a review on the reform path and our development vision for the next three years.

Regarding what happened in Hebron yesterday, the Council of Ministers condemned the attack on a member of the municipal council, and stressed that the law is the master of rulings, and that the Ministers of Interior and Local Government are following up on the issue related to the municipality and the repercussions of that, and that the security services are pursuing outlaws and they will be brought to justice.