During the weekly cabinet meeting in Ramallah, ministers said they approved the legislation as settlements amount to “an attack on the Palestinian territories, and violate international law.”
In a post-meeting statement, the cabinet added that “This decision comes as a basic step toward advancing the national economy and supporting Palestinian products.”
Also, ministers also voted to alter the penal code on “family honor” killings, upgrading the crime to murder.
“No one can take the law into his own hands,” the cabinet said, adding that they agreed to the change “to ensure that the principles of equality and justice are in line with the Palestinian Basic Law, the Declaration of Independence, and the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to national conventions and international treaties.”
Heading the cabinet meeting was President Mahmoud Abbas, who applauded the “1,000th project” initiated by caretaker Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, in line with his plan for building state institutions and declaring Palestinian statehood within two years. Regarding peace talks, Abbas said the PA leadership was awaiting word from the Americans on their Mideast proposal.
The cabinet also approved a measure that would reduce taxes on vehicle imports into the West Bank.
