By Qais Abu Samra
RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Achieving sustainable development of the Palestinian economy depends on ending the decades-long Israeli occupation, the Palestinian prime minister said Tuesday.
"Obligating Israel to end its occupation of Palestine, in accordance with international resolutions and references, is the responsibility of the entire international community, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is the most important condition for achieving sustainable development there,” Mohammad Shtayyeh told the two-day UN Sustainable Development Goals summit held in New York.
The West Bank, which Israel occupied in 1967, was divided into three portions – Area A, B, and C – under the 1995 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Area C, which forms more than 60% of the West Bank and is rich with natural resources, is fully under Israel’s control.
“The Palestinian people are struggling to catch up with the world amid settler colonialism that controls the land, weakens people, controls the borders and crossings of the state of Palestine, robs the resources and capabilities of our people, and practices everything that would undermine development opportunities in Palestine,” Shtayyeh said.
International law views the West Bank as territory illegally occupied by Israel.
*Writing by Ahmed Asmar