UN calls for ‘two state’ solution to be respected in Middle East
new york / occupied jerusalem — The UN Security Council made a rare show of unity on Monday when it called on all parties to maintain their support for a two state solution to the IsraelPalestinian conflict.
“Council Members reiterated their support for a negotiated two state solution ... where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders,” said a statement released by Belgium, which holds the rotating presidency, and supported by all 14 other members, including the United States.
“All parties should refrain from undermining the viability of the two states solution in order to maintain the prospects for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace,” the statement added, an allusion to Israel’s recent threat to build thousands more homes in East Jerusalem, in an area claimed by the Palestinians.
The council also “stressed the need to exert collective efforts to launch credible negotiations on all final status issues” and expressed “grave concern about acts of violence against civilians.”
I gave immediate instructions for a permit to deposit (plans) for the construction of 3,500 units in E1 Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister
The statement came after two days of rising tensions in the region after the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad fired rockets at Israel,
following the killing of three of its members in the Gaza Strip and Syria.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to build 3,500 new settler homes in a super-sensitive area of the occupied West Bank, just a week before a tight general election.
Netanyahu’s controversial statement is the latest in a string of election promises on settlement construction as the premier faces not only a general election but the beginning of a corruption trial. —