The Palestinian Cabinet hails the resolution of the US House of Representatives that supports the two- states solution and warns against settlement and annexation, salutes the initiative of the Foreign Minister of Luxembourg to push EU members to recognize the State of Palestine, announces commencing procedures to operate the Turkish Hospital in Gaza. 

In his opening statement, during the weekly Cabinet meeting held in Ramallah today, Prime Minister Dr. Mohammed Shtayyeh hailed the resolution of the US House of Representatives that supports the two-state solution, warns against settlement and annexation, and backs the aspirations of the Palestinian people in an independent state. “We highly appreciate the resolution of the US House of Representatives, and we consider it a rejection of the US administration policy, and a condemnation of Israel's policy aiming at undermining the two-state solution,” Dr. Shtayyeh stated. “The resolution of the US House of Representatives comes in harmony with the international law, which prohibits the occupation of others' lands by force, and prohibits settlement as being contrary to the law,” Dr. Shtayyeh added.

Additionally, Prime Minister Dr. Shtayyeh saluted the Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn, for his effort and initiative in pushing all member states of the European Union to recognize the State of Palestine in response to the latest announcement of the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, which does not consider settlements in the West Bank illegal.

In a separate context, Dr. Shtayyeh announced commencing procedures to operate the Turkish Hospital in the Gaza Strip, in response to the hospital that was managed by the American army in Syria and transferred to Gaza afterwards. Dr. Shtayyeh pointed to an agreement with Turkey to cover the operation expenses of this hospital, which is equipped to work immediately.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Dr. Shtayyeh declared that a ministerial delegation, along with representatives from the private sector, would pay a visit next month to the Sultanate of Oman in order to open new horizons for the Palestinian economy and to enhance the spirit of cooperation with neighboring Arab countries. This visit comes as part of the strategy of the Palestinian government to strengthen relations with the Arab world and disengage from the occupation.

To conclude, the Cabinet ratified an agreement on customs cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Chile.