Khaled Osaily. خالد العسيلي رئيس بلدية الخيل السابق خالد العسيلي
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad inaugurated on the 5th of May 2010 the offices of the Ministry of Finance in the Old City of Hebron. The new offices aim at supporting the steadfastness of residents, countering settlement activities and occupation measures, enhancing economic activity in Old City shops and bringing back normal life to its streets.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Hebron Mayor Khaled Osaily, Howard Somka, Head of the USAID mission in the West Bank and Gaza, Dr. Samir Abou Zneid, Acting Governor of Hebron, Dr. Ali Qawasmi, President of Hebron Rehabilitation Committee, Colonel Ramadan Awad, Head of Hebron Governorate Police as well as by a number of heads of institutions and security apparatuses in the Governorate and residents from Hebron and its Old City who all welcomed the government’s decision to open these offices in the Old City.
In his welcoming speech, Qawasmi expressed gratitude for decisions taken by the government to support Hebron’s Old City and for the special attention given to it due to the never-ending Israeli violations and the real threat posed by settlement policies implemented by the current Israeli government.
Mayor Osaily thanked PM Fayyad for his decision to resume support to Old City merchants and to provide them with financial support to maintain their steadfastness, ensure that they remain in their shops and that their shops remain open, as well as to incite people to shop and to visit the Old City. He also thanked him for his decision to organize trips to the Old City and the Ibrahimi Mosque and to ensure that all ministries implement activities in favor of the Old City, its residents and its holy places.
In his speech, PM Fayyad praised Hebronites for their steadfastness in their homes and shops. “Hebron and its Old City are and will remain Arab and Palestinian areas. We shall stand firm in face of all settlement policies and shall make every effort to safeguard our holy places and to maintain our ties to our land which run as deep as olive tree roots. The Old City of Hebron, just like the Old City of Nablus, is Palestinian land and we shall safeguard our genuine history and heritage. Our first aim is to protect Jerusalem and its quarters. From Hebron and Nablus, as well as from each and every Palestinian city, we shall work for the protection of Jerusalem, its quarters and its Holy Places. The government shall make relentless efforts to ensure development in all sectors and at all levels as well as to improve the life of citizens and to build institutions capable of realizing the Palestinian dream, i.e. establishing an independent Palestinian State that is both viable and able to prosper”, he said.
Both PM Fayyad and Mayor Osaily then visited the Central Station for Public Transport Vehicles under construction in the center of Hebron and got acquainted with the well-advanced works at the site. They also visited Al Salam Park being built on a total area of 14 dunums in Sabteh neighborhood with a breathtaking view overlooking Hebron.
PM Fayyad concluded his visit to Hebron with a visit to the indoor sports hall where he was briefed on preparation works to inaugurate this hall and on the latest construction and equipment phases of the hall. He admired the quality of the spots hall and was pleased to see that the project is nearing its end and shall be inaugurated in record time. It is to be noted that this is the largest indoor sports hall in Palestine and can accommodate over 4 thousand fans. It is equipped to host all sports events and comprises squash courts. The hall is to be inaugurated later this month with an international match.
