Criticism has followed Labour Minister’s visit to Palestine

There is growing criticism of Labour Minister Ali Al-Abed over his visit to Palestine, with some official bodies joining the chorus.

 The High Council of State (HCS) condemned Al-Abed’s visit to the occupied West Bank, where he met with Mahmoud Abbas.

Al-Abed headed a delegation consisting of a member of the eastern-based Parliament and the head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muhammad al-Raidh, to discuss cooperation in employment, according to a statement by the Government of National Unity (GNU).

The HCS affirmed its “consistent and clear” position towards supporting the Palestinians in their resistance against their occupiers.

“Entering the occupied West Bank requires permission and approval from the occupation authorities, which the HCS categorically rejects,” the HCS said, insisting that this issue remains “unquestionable.”

Boycotting Israel has long remained grounded in complete national consensus in Libyan society.

The council cautioned that the visit of an official delegation to the occupied territories was for testing waters and a prelude to other stages of dealing with the Israeli entity.

All political institutions and social components are duty-bound to take a firm stance towards such “shameful” acts, the HCS said.

On Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received Minister Ali Al-Abed at the presidential residence in Ramallah.

The latter offered condolences for the martyrs of Nablus and reiterated the solidarity of the Libyan people with their “Palestinian brothers,” according to a statement by the Labour Ministry.