Translated by Sabrin Qadah 

The member of the central committee of Fateh, D. Mohammed Shtayyeh, said that Israel is using security excuses in order to achieve geographic and economic gains, pointing out that the Jordan Valley areas generate millions of dollars by the time Israel claims to control it for security reasons.

He added in a meeting with businessmen and heads of Swiss and American economic institutions, today in his office in Ramallah, that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories has become profitable to them, which requires raising the cost of the occupation through economic pressure to force Israel to end it.

Furthermore, he urged investors to work on partnerships with Palestinian businessmen, because despite the difficult reality, there are successful opportunities that are worth pursuing and popularization.

He explained to the guests that Israel puts all impediments to the growth of the Palestinian economy and its development and hinders development in Palestine, pointing out to the siege of the Gaza Strip, the isolation of Jerusalem from the economic and political surroundings, depriving the Palestinians of using lands in area "c" which constitutes more than 60% of the territory of the West Bank.

Shtayyeh said that the Palestinian leadership supports the French initiative and remains committed to two-state solution, provided that the title of any new political path must be stopping settlement activity.

He pointed out that the number of settlers in the West has risen 600% since the signing of the Oslo agreement to become 774 thousand settlers according to the latest statistics, meaning that there is a Jewish settler versus three Palestinians in the West Bank.

He said that in spite of the celebrations that took place in Israel for the winning of Donald Trump president of the United States, the leadership is ready to deal with the president chosen by the American people in line with the Palestinian rights confirmed by international charters and resolutions.