Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh discusses the latest developments in the region with Canada's representative to the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Graham Dattels.

Vice President of the State of Palestine, Mr. Hussein Al Sheikh, received the Canadian Representative to the Palestinian Authority, Graham Dattels, at his office in Ramallah today. The two leaders discussed the latest developments in the region, particularly the humanitarian and political situation in the Gaza Strip. The meeting addressed international efforts to end the war in the Gaza Strip, and the humanitarian catastrophe, and provide immediate and urgent humanitarian aid. They also addressed domestic reform efforts at various levels, as well as the deteriorating security and financial situation in the West Bank. Mr. Dattels affirmed his country's condemnation of starvation as a political tool in the Gaza Strip and called on Israel to immediately cease the war. He also reiterated Canada's condemnation of Israeli violations in the West Bank, including settlement expansion, settler violence, and the illegal withholding of Palestinian Authority funds. Canada's steadfast and supportive position toward the Palestinian people and their leadership was emphasized, along with Ottawa's continued provision of financial, security, and political support to the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause in international forums. Al Sheikh praised Canada's political position calling for an immediate end to the war and starvation in the Gaza Strip, and for an end to Israeli violations in the West Bank. He also commended Canada's continued support for the Palestinian people, the Palestinian Authority, and all its institutions. He called on Canada to recognize the State of Palestine as a fundamental part of carrying the hopes of the Palestinian people and working to end the occupation and achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region.