During its weekly meeting held in Ramallah today, the Palestinian Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Dr. Rami Al- Hamdallah:

1. Reiterated calls upon Hamas to immediately commit to the reconciliation plan of President Mahmoud Abbas to restore national unity and end the current internal division, without any conditions or restrictions, and to transfer the full control of the Gaza Strip to the National Consensus Government with no exceptions 

2. Condemned the Trump administration persistent attempts to blackmail the Palestinian leadership to succumb to the meaningless so-called “deal of the century” through drastically cutting more than $200 million in aid funds allocated to benefit the Palestinian citizens directly. The Cabinet stressed that the Palestinian leadership will not be intimidated and will not succumb to the Trump administration threats and that“Palestinian fundamental rights are not open to bargaining.” 

3. Criticized the Trump administration misguided decision to oppose the United Nations criteria for determining Palestinian refugees and to strip millions of Palestinians of their refugee status. The Cabinet stressed that such irresponsible action will deteriorate the dire conditions of Palestinian refugees, create chaos in the region, and destroy all hopes for a fair and a just solution to the refugees’ issue. “We insist that the Palestinian refugees’ right to return is one of the fundamental Palestinian rights that must be implemented in accordance with the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution No. 194 within the internationally recognized two-state solution.” The Cabinet noted that determining the status and number of refugees and related agencies lies only on the shoulders of the United Nations General Assembly upon the mandate given to it.

4. Congratulated the Palestinian pilgrims on the holy occasion of Haj, and thanked the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs as well as other related authorities and bodies for their efforts in providing all necessary services to ensure the safety of pilgrims. In addition, the Cabinet expressed its deep appreciation to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and his majesty, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, for facilitating the Hajj journey of Palestinian pilgrims, especially for the families of prisoners and martyrs.  

5. Expressed its sincerest gratitude to the Government of Japan for contributing $5.4 million in support of UNRWA service to Palestinian refugees. In this regard, the Cabinet called upon the international community to take its responsibilities, upon the Charter of the United Nations, to provide financial support to the UNRWA.

6. Deplored the Israeli colonial plans to establish new 20,000 settlement units in the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem. The Cabinet stressed that such colonial plans are a translation and an outcome of the so-called "Deal of the Century” and a clear result of the international community ignorance to prevent Israel from such actions.

7. Welcomed the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on providing international protection to the Palestinian citizens and holding those responsible for violations of the International Human Law. The cabinet stressed that “it is urgent to provide immediate international protection for our people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.”

8. Finally, rejected the decision of FIFA to suspend the President of the Palestinian Football Association. The Cabinet condemned FIFA for punishing Palestine and disregarding all repressive Israeli practices against sports and Palestinian athletes.