Algerian Radio
The Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Varsen Shahin, called on the British government, during her meeting on Monday with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in London, to impose comprehensive sanctions on the Zionist settlement system. She demanded the strengthening of British measures to prevent the import and circulation of Zionist settlement products in British markets.
According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the Palestinian minister expressed her gratitude to the United Kingdom for its recognition of the State of Palestine. She affirmed the importance of this step in light of Britain's historical responsibility toward the State of Palestine and its people's right to self-determination and the realization of their independent state. She stressed that this recognition should mark the beginning of a clear British policy that contributes to ending the Zionist occupation of the occupied Palestinian land, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
She praised the recent decisions taken by the British government, including imposing sanctions on extremist colonial institutions, resuming support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and facilitating the travel of students and wounded individuals from the Gaza Strip to receive treatment in the UK. She considered these steps as positive indicators that should be built upon.
Shahin affirmed that "these measures align with the principles of international law and the values and principles adopted by the United Kingdom, but they are insufficient." She called on the British government to take more effective steps in light of the Zionist entity's continued criminal policies in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly in the Gaza Strip, which has been subjected to genocide for more than a thousand days without an end to the crimes committed.
The Palestinian minister also reviewed the dangerous situation in the occupied city of Jerusalem, warning against Zionist policies aimed at imposing a new reality in the city. This includes restricting Palestinian citizens, targeting the Palestinian Christian presence, and imposing unjust taxes on churches and their lands, as part of attempts to alter the multi-religious character of the holy city and its historical and legal status quo.
Furthermore, the Palestinian Foreign Minister briefed her British counterpart on the reform and development efforts being implemented by the government of the State of Palestine. She affirmed the Palestinian leadership's commitment to implementing the reform program and holding elections, considering them a national entitlement stemming from Palestinian interests. She pointed to the organization of municipal elections earlier this year and the preparations to hold elections for the National Council and the Legislative Council next November, followed by presidential elections next year.
