Brussels: Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa emphasized the urgent need for sustainable donor aid to preserve economic stability during his address at the Spring Meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) in Brussels, attended by representatives from over 30 states and international donors.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Prime Minister Mustafa outlined the Palestinian government's objectives to stabilize the economy, strengthen institutions, and foster recovery, growth, and self-reliance, all of which necessitate sufficient international financial support.
Prime Minister Mustafa, accompanied by Minister of Finance and Planning Estephan Salameh and Palestine's Ambassador to Belgium and the EU Amal Jadou-Shakaa, highlighted the pressing challenges facing Palestine and the urgent intervention priorities needed to address them. Key priorities include the immediate release of Palestinian clearance revenues, removal of banking system restrictions, emergency budget support, investment in economic recovery and development, and easing restrictions on Palestinian workers' access to employment in Israel.
In his speech, Premier Mustafa reiterated that recent conflicts have not led to peace or stability and stressed that only a just political solution can achieve coexistence. He highlighted the dire economic conditions in Gaza and the West Bank, exacerbated by Israeli restrictions, which have led to high unemployment rates and constrained economic growth. The withholding of Palestinian clearance revenues has further strained public finances, affecting public servants and essential services.
Despite these challenges, the Palestinian government is committed to advancing reforms, enhancing governance, and strengthening institutional resilience. Efforts include modernizing public financial management, reinforcing anti-corruption measures, implementing a needs-based social protection system, and investing in education and security sector reforms.
Prime Minister Mustafa also addressed the situation in Gaza, emphasizing its integral role in the Palestinian state and the need for transitional arrangements to restore governance by the Palestinian Authority. The Horizon Fund, established with the United Nations, aims to mobilize resources and support economic recovery in both Gaza and the West Bank.
He concluded by reiterating the necessity of international financial support and a comprehensive political solution to address the underlying challenges of occupation and restrictions, fostering a pathway towards a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.