London Meeting Highlights Key Issues
Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, the foreign minister of the Palestinian Authority, met Yvette Cooper, the UK’s foreign secretary, in London on Monday to discuss developments in the Palestinian territories. According to the Palestine News Agency (Wafa), Shahin emphasized that the UK’s recognition of Palestine last year was a crucial step toward ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
Positive Steps Acknowledged
Shahin noted several positive measures taken by the UK, including recent sanctions on Israeli settlers, the resumption of funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), and facilitating study and medical treatment in the UK for individuals from the Gaza Strip. She warned against an Israeli policy that would impose taxes on churches and church-owned lands in Jerusalem, which could alter the city’s multi-religious character and its historic and legal status quo.
Reforms and Elections Discussed
Cooper and Shahin also discussed the latest reforms initiated by the Palestinian Authority to invigorate its political ranks. They talked about the planned elections for the Palestinian National Council and the Legislative Council in November, which will be followed by presidential elections in 2027.
