Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa has outlined three key priorities for his government: easing the suffering of Gazans, stabilizing finances, and improving institutional performance.
The newly-formed Palestinian government, headed by Mustafa, held its first cabinet meeting at the prime minister’s office in the central West Bank.
“The government’s current priorities include alleviating the suffering of the residents of Gaza, achieving financial stability, and implementing a program to reform and develop the performance of institutions,” affirmed Mustafa at the meeting.
The prime minister stressed the urgent need to address the challenges faced by Palestinians, including the ongoing violence and economic hardships.
He highlighted efforts to achieve financial stability, which is crucial for effective relief and development initiatives, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming Palestinian funds held by Israel, calling it a top priority.
Mustafa also underlined the government’s third priority: a plan to reform and improve public institutions for better productivity, transparency, and accountability. He promised tangible results for Palestinians, not just words.
The premier urged all Palestinians to support and facilitate the government’s work, emphasizing the importance of national unity and solidarity.
He stressed that the focus should be on the government’s agenda as a comprehensive national program, rather than just supporting the government itself.
Mustafa’s government faces significant challenges, including administrative, security, and economic issues in the West Bank, as well as ongoing tensions with Hamas in Gaza.
Last month, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appointed Mustafa to form the nineteenth government, with key tasks including coordinating relief efforts in Gaza, reconstruction, institution-building, and preparing for upcoming elections.
Mustafa, a prominent businessman and economic expert, was chosen to lead the new government after the previous Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, stepped down.
This move was made to address calls for reforms within the Palestinian Authority and to challenge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reluctance to allow either Fatah or Hamas to govern Gaza after the recent conflict.
Palestinians are watching closely to see how the government handles tough issues like aiding Gazans, rebuilding after the war, dealing with Hamas, and fixing the financial crisis. The government faces challenges in paying employees regularly and reducing the Palestinian Authority’s large debt.
Despite some financial relief, the government still struggles to pay all employees and owes money to various parties, including Israeli companies.
Mustafa’s government needs to earn the trust of Palestinians, despite receiving support from the US and international community.
