Today I met with the representative of Japan in Palestine, His Excellency Ambassador Yoichi Nakashima. First, I extended my sincere thanks and gratitude to the friendly government and people of Japan for the vote in support of the State of Palestine in the last Security Council session. I also thanked the government and people of Japan for their steadfast support for Palestine.

During the meeting, we discussed the latest developments in the internal, regional and international political arena, including the formation of the new government headed by Dr. Muhammad Mustafa, the intense regional efforts in close coordination with our Arab brothers, and the vigorous international action with friendly countries to end the war and the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip on the first day after the 200th of the devastating war in the Strip.

The escalation of Israeli violations in the West Bank targeting all Palestinians was also discussed, including escalating settler violence, city incursions, settlement expansion, and withholding of Palestinian Authority funds. On the other hand, His Excellency Ambassador Nakashima stressed his country’s firm position in support of reaching an immediate and permanent ceasefire, implementing the two-state solution, and establishing an independent State of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Today, Thursday, I received the Italian Consul General in Jerusalem, Domenico Bellato.

During the meeting, we discussed the latest political developments in the Palestinian arena, the latest of which is the formation of the new government headed by Dr. Muhammad Mustafa, and the intensive efforts in coordination and cooperation with our Arab brothers to end the war and the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.

Mr. Bellato stressed the call to stop the war and the call to support the political path that guarantees calm in the region and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with the two-state solution based on international legitimacy.

Today, Wednesday, I met with European Union representative Alexander Stutzman.

We discussed the latest political developments on the Palestinian, regional and international scene, the most important of which is stopping the war and the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, as well as the dangers of the Israeli invasion of Rafah and our rejection of displacement, and the detention of Palestinian funds by the Israeli government was addressed.

Mr. Stutzman stressed the call to stop the war immediately and the call to support the political path that guarantees calm and stability in the region, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with the two-state solution on the basis of international legitimacy.

Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Hussein al-Sheikh said on Thursday that the US pproval of a bill to ban the entry of members of the Palestine Liberation Organization into the United States of America is a ‘dangerous decision.’

The PLO official took to his official page on X, formerly known as Twitter, to the slam the decision towards ‘the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.’

“The US House of Representatives’ approval of a bill to ban the entry of members of the Palestine Liberation Organization into the United States of America is a dangerous decision towards the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people,” he said. “We consider it a decision that harms the rights of our Palestinian people and goes beyond the international position that recognizes these rights and recognizes the organization as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.”

“This requires a response and clarification from the US administration,” he demanded.

In response to several countries announcing their withdrawal of funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Hussein Al-Sheikh, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), has called for an immediate reconsideration of this decision.

In a press statement, Al-Sheikh expressed concerns over the potentially severe political and humanitarian consequences associated with such a move. “We urge the countries that have declared a halt to their support for the UNRWA to immediately reverse their decision, which carries significant political and humanitarian risks.” 

He emphasized the critical importance of international assistance, especially during ongoing Israeli war against the Palestinian people.

“At a time like this, amid the continued aggression against the Palestinian population, we are in desperate need of support rather than cutting off crucial aid and assistance for this international organization,” he added.

Hussein Al-Sheikh, the Secretary-General of the PLO Executive Committee, has strongly rejected any deductions from the tax funds Israeli collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, and which may hinder the ability of the PA to fulfill its obligations towards the Palestinian people in Gaza.

“Any reduction in our financial rights or any conditions imposed by Israel that may hinder the Palestinian National Authority from providing for our people in Gaza is rejected by us,” Al-Sheikh said in a press statement.

Al-Sheikh urged the international community “to halt this practice of piracy and theft of Palestinian funds and compel Israel to transfer all our funds” without any deductions.

The future of the Gaza Strip is determined by the Palestinian people, not Israel.

All scenarios proposed by the occupation politicians and leaders are doomed to fail.

The comprehensive solution and the departure of the occupation is our choice, our program and our strategy.

Today, Thursday, I met with the German National Security Advisor, Mr. Plotner, where we discussed the latest developments and the war in Gaza and its repercussions, and the developments in the West Bank.

Hussein Al-Sheikh, the Secretary-General of the PLO Executive Committee, asserted today that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recent statements about Israel’s intention to regain control over the Philadelphi Route and the Rafah border crossing is indicative of Israel’s plan to re-occupy the Gaza Strip.

Al-Sheikh, in a concise statement on X, said he views this move as “a blatant violation of agreements with Egypt and a termination of all agreements with the PLO.”

Al-Sheikh emphasized the need for “a unified Palestinian and Arab decision to confront the repercussions of this aggressive war.” He highlighted “Netanyahu’s attempts to impose new facts on the ground through these military actions,” calling for a collective response to safeguard Palestinian rights and resist such unilateral measures.

US President Biden’s statements yesterday must transform into actions, starting with calling for an immediate ceasefire and putting forward a comprehensive political plan based on international legitimacy and international law, ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state.