Israeli organ harvesting, settlements, climate change and Christmas topped the agenda of the Palestinian Authority (PA) cabinet meeting on Monday, in which ministers joined together in calling the Bethlehem Christmas tree a symbol of Palestinian unity and peace.
On the recent reports in the Israeli media allegedly confirming the theft of Palestinian organs in the 1990s, the PLO Central Council delegated Minister of Prisoners Affairs Issa Qaraqe to launch an investigation into the issue and follow up with the government. The appointment was followed by a unanimous condemnation of the reported acts, and a call on the international community to help protect the rights and dignity of Palestinian prisoners.
The cabinet sent thanks to the EU for their firm statements against the continued construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and requested that the union take practical steps to see the construction halted. Ministers reiterated their position that the 10-month partial moratorium on settlement construction on only settlements in the West Bank not including East Jerusalem was a false promise and a tactical claim. They cited Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's statements earlier in the week saying settlers could begin building in full force after the 10-month period.
Prime Minister Salam Fayyad debriefed the ministers on his recent visit to Copenhagen where he spoke at the UN conference on climate change. He gave a summary of his speech, including notes on the effects of climate change in the Middle East, as well as the international responsibility to ensure Israel abides by its Road Map obligations so Palestinians can take control over their own environment. Fayyad explained the Israeli expropriation of Palestine's natural resources, the deprivation of water faced in the West Bank and the lack of materials for containing sewage in Gaza, leading to seepage into the Mediterranean.
Fayyad called for the creation of a fund for countries who face obstacles in protecting their natural resources and limiting their environmental impact, saying Palestine would be a prime candidate for projects.
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