Al-Khalili: Supporting the steadfastness of Jerusalemite women and their institutions is a top national priority

Ramallah - Ma'an - Minister of Women's Affairs, Mona Al-Khalili, stressed that supporting Jerusalemite women and women's institutions in the Jerusalem Governorate is a top priority for the ministry and the government. Al-Khalili stressed the importance of strengthening the role of Jerusalem institutions and building their capabilities, as they are one of the levers of steadfastness and confronting Judaization plans. This came during the Minister's tour of the Jerusalem Governorate, which she began at the Governorate House and the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs, and concluded with a meeting with women's institutions working in the Jerusalem Governorate inside and outside the wall. The Minister began the tour by meeting with Abdullah Siam, Deputy Governor of Jerusalem, the governorate's staff, and Jerusalemite feminist figures. In the meeting, she stressed the government's intention to give Jerusalem a high priority, including supporting Jerusalemite women. She said: 'Despite the occupation's plans, violations , and attempts to suffocate and Judaize, Jerusalem and the people of Jerusalem will remain stronger than the occupation and will fail all its plans.' She added that Jerusalemite women are the spearhead of confrontation and steadfastness. For his part, the Deputy Governor of Jerusalem, Abdullah Siam, pointed out the challenges she faces. The city, stressing the need to provide tools for steadfastness and supporting Jerusalem in the face of attacks. He explained that Jerusalemite women must be an effective partner at all levels, expressing his hope that women's institutions will be a top priority on the political agenda. During her visit to the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs, Al-Khalili emphasized The Palestinian leadership and the government are leading intensive diplomatic campaigns to expose the occupation's violations and crimes, especially against women, and indicated that the Ministry is working to employ international resolutions for the benefit of Palestinian women, and that the Ministry is working to raise the voice of Palestinian women in various local, regional and international forums, and stressed the issue of Jerusalem and the holy sites It is listed on the list of priorities, especially in light of the violations and targeting suffered by Jerusalemite women at various levels, including killing, arrest, house arrest, house arrest, violations, taxes, displacement, and others. For his part, the Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, Dr. Ashraf Al-Awar approached the Minister and gave her an explanation of what the Jerusalem Governorate and women in particular are suffering from, and what the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs is working on to support the steadfastness and protection of Jerusalemites, male and female holy women, and their institutions. He stressed the importance of coordination, cooperation and integration between various official and private institutions to serve Jerusalem and its issues. During her meeting with women's institutions in Jerusalem, at the headquarters of the Al-Ram municipality, Al -Khalili stressed that the ministry does not work alone, but rather in cooperation, coordination, consultation, and strategic partnership with the rest of the ministries, governorates, municipalities, and civil society institutions. Al-Khalili indicated that Palestinian women are paying the highest price for the violations and crimes of the occupation, especially in light of the continuation of the genocidal war against the Gaza Strip, and the unprecedented escalation against the West Bank governorates. The Ministry stressed the importance of meetings and dialogue with women's institutions and emerging from them with shared visions and priorities that were agreed upon, especially in light of the government's limited capabilities and financial resources in light of the severe political and financial blockade imposed by the occupation authorities. Feminist organizations provided interventions on the priorities and challenges facing Jerusalemite institutions due to the increasing restrictions of the occupation , the continued suffocation of institutions, preventing them from working, and besieging them financially. The institutions presented their needs for support, financing, and capacity building, and the need to develop policies and legislation that protect and support Palestinian women in general and Jerusalemite women in particular. Al-Khalili concluded the meeting by emphasizing the Ministry of Women's Affairs' keenness to consolidate a real and serious partnership with these institutions in a way that serves and protects Palestinian women, stressing the importance of unifying efforts to provide the necessary protection for women and enhance their role and presence in Jerusalem. Source: Maan News Agency