We do not live in a normal situation or do we have an independent state, even sovereignty is in the hands of Israel with respect to land, water and borders, Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh said during an interview with The Media Line, an independent US news agency specializing in coverage of the Middle East.

Our goal is to build a stable, democratic, free country that exists alongside Israel, the minister said.

Al-Sheikh accused former US President Donald Trump of sweeping away international regulations and agreements about the issue, such as the right to the return of Palestinian refugees.

During his four-year tenure, there was minimal communication and growing acrimony among Ramallah, the ANP’s administrative headquarters, and Washington, he noted.

The official highlighted the difficulties for the development of the Palestinian society due to the colonization of its lands, infrastructure demolitions, arrests, and agricultural and economic restrictions. It is very difficult to draw up a plan in this situation, he said.

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