Government of national unity wins PLC confidence vote with overwhelming majority

New government ministers (MaanImages)

March 17, 2007

Gaza – Ramallah - Ma'an - The Palestinian coalition government, the eleventh Palestinian government on Saturday won the confidence vote of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) with an overwhelming majority. 83 PLC members voted for giving confidence, whilst only 3 members voted against.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and an independent PLC member voted against giving confidence to the new government.

The confidence-giving session of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) took place in both Gaza City and Ramallah, the two cities have been linked through video conference.

The session was opened by deputy speaker, Ahmad Bahar, whose speech was followed by a statement from the PLC members who are serving in Israeli prisons. The prisoners expressed their support for, and confidence in, the new unity government, stressing the necessity of achieving Palestinian rights in Jerusalem, the right of return for Palestinian refugees and lifting the suffering of the Palestinians, especially those in Iraq. The PLC members called for an end to the tragedy of Palestinians in Israeli jails, especially the PLC members who were abducted by the Israeli forces a month ago.

This prisoners' declaration was followed by a statement from Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, he said: "We are entering a new era, with the opportunity to regain the occupied lands and build a Palestinians state with Jerusalem as its capital." Abbas said that this era should be an era of national unity and independence. He continued ''we are on the right track, as displayed by the recognition of Israel of the Palestine Liberation Organisation as a legitimate representative for the Palestinian people".

Abbas said "Palestinians have passed through many stages, including the declaration of an independent state in Algeria in 1988, and now we continue in this stage following the signing of the Mecca agreement. We are looking forward to freeing the occupied lands of 1967 and Jerusalem and ensuring a just solution to the issue of refugees, according to UN resolution 194."

Abbbas said "the PLO decided in 1993 to establish the Palestinian Authority as part of the path to the liberation of the occupied territories. We stress here that we denounce violence and are looking for a just solution through negotiations until we reach a comprehensive and just peace. We are calling on a mutual commitment from the Israelis in which all assassinations of Palestinians cease."

Abbas stressed that Jerusalem "will be the crown jewel of any peace agreement".

Abbas confirmed the Arab support of the government and expressed his wish to maintain this support as a means to end the siege and enable the PA and the Palestinian people to deal with Palestinian issues. He added that such support was necessary to end internal disorder and spread the sovereignty of law, as well as maintain the truce with the Israelis, end unemployment and poverty and resume the reformation of the economy, social sector and overall Palestinian development.

Regarding the Arab summit, Abbas said that the Palestinians are hopeful that the Arab countries will support the Palestinians and find the appropriate mechanisms to cooperate with the international community and the Quartet to apply the Arab initiative and achieve the US president Bush's vision of a two-state solution.

Addressing the Israeli people, factions and government, Abbas said "we are ready to resume the peace process and the negotiations between the Israeli government and the PLO". He stated that "the settlements, the separation wall and the besieging of Jerusalem will never bring peace to the region, or even come close. These procedures will only complicate the issue".

He also said: "The Palestinians are extending their hands to the Israelis to achieve peace, in order for generations to come to have the opportunity to live in peace". He emphasised that the PA is doing its best to solve the issue of the Palestinian prisoners and the case of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. He assured that the PA is making efforts to release Shalit in a prisoner exchange deal through the Egyptians.

Speaking to the Palestinian Diaspora, Abbas said that the PA will continue defending their right to return. Addressing the Palestinians in Iraq, Abbas said that consultations with the Iraqi leadership are ongoing and the PA is seeking to save these refugees.

Abbas concluded his statement by thanking Arab and foreign nations for their support of the Palestinians.

Acting speaker, Ahmad Bahar, said in his statement: "This is an epochal moment for the Palestinians especially after the dark era before the Mecca agreement." He commended all those who participated in the achievement of the Mecca agreement and saluted Palestinian prisoners, especially the PLC members, serving in Israeli jails.