Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said the Israeli government is living in a deep crisis and trying to deflect attention through killing, repression, collective punishment, home demolitions, and allowing terrorist settlers to commit more crimes against the Palestinians.
Shtayyeh was speaking at a weekly cabinet session following the Israeli government’s decisions to demolish the homes of Palestinians who carry out attacks, revoke residency and privileges from their families, and make it easier for Israeli citizens to obtain permits to carry firearms.
The PM said the Israeli government was fully and directly responsible for the escalation in the occupied territories due to its aggression, violations, and daily crimes against the Palestinian people in the Jenin refugee camp, occupied East Jerusalem, and various villages.
Shtayyeh called on the international community to condemn these crimes and denounce a recent statement by Israeli ministers who encouraged the Israeli public to take up arms to commit crimes against the defenseless Palestinian people.
He indicated that the Israeli escalation aims to destroy the Palestinian Authority, vowing that it will not surrender to the Israeli attack.
The PA will do everything possible to protect its national achievements, complete the liberation from Israel and ensure the establishment of a sovereign and viable state with Jerusalem as its capital, as recognized by over 140 countries.
Israeli settlers have increased their attacks in the West Bank against Palestinians, their vehicles, homes, lands and crops.
The phrases: "Death to the Arabs" and "O Jews, wake up" have been painted on the walls of Palestinian villages. Many homes and vehicles belonging to Palestinians have been set on fire in the past two days.
The "price tag" groups affiliated with Jewish extremists have constantly attacked Palestinians, committing crimes against them, including burning homes, properties, and places of worship.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry called on the international community to place extremist settler organizations on terror lists.
It warned of the consequences of settlers committing “major crimes or massacres” against Palestinian citizens and demanded that the international community and the US take “a firm and practical stance” to stop the Israeli escalation and settler attacks.
The Ministry stressed that it has mobilized the broadest international pressure against the Israeli government to stop its “insane” escalation, demand international protection for the Palestinian people, and deal with extremist settler organizations as terrorists.
The Ministry condemned the “escalating terrorism of armed settler militias against citizens, their lands, homes, properties, and sanctities”. It said the settlers carried out over 120 attacks in a single night in the southern Nablus region.
The statement also noted the provocative Israeli marches in the Old City of Jerusalem and continuous incursions into the holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
Moreover, the Ministry strongly condemned the settler attack on the headquarters of the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem and the removal of its flag.
It warned that the protection provided to the settlers and their gangs, and the support of the Israeli government to the settlements, “encourages Jewish terrorists to commit more violations and crimes”.
