Now 3 more Countries tell Israel to stop illegal settlement activities

Islam Times: Reports from across the globe say that India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA), a group of emerging powers are the latest nations to have asked Israel to stop the "illegal" settlement activities in occupied territories and condemned violent attacks on Palestinians. IBSA said Israel's continued settlement activities were a major roadblock to peace negotiations with Palestinians, after hearing a UN Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East by Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco.

"We are deeply disturbed by the deterioration of situation on the ground and the escalation of violence," Brazil's UN Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, accompanied by Indian deputy Permanent Representative Manjeev Singh Puri, told news officials. The Ambassador also said the IBSA countries believe that continued settlement activities by Israel are "not only illegal under international law but also a major obstacle to peace."

Israel has to stop settlement activities, not as a "concession" in the course of the negotiations but rather as an obligation under various UN Security Council resolutions and international law.

IBSA also condemned the increasing violence by settlers against Palestinians living in adjacent areas.

Demanding action against those indulging in such violence, Viotti said evictions and demolition of Palestinians' homes are equally disturbing. It is also a matter of concern that Israel is yet to submit its proposals on security and border to the quartet of US, UN, Russia and EU envoys while the Palestinian side has already submitted the proposals, she said.

"The IBSA countries believe the UNSC has an essential irreplaceable role to play in the peace process mainly by condemning violence, calling for a complete halt to settlement activities and calling for the implementation of all its resolutions," Viotti said.

Direct talks stalled in late 2011 after Israel refused to extend its freeze on settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory.

That decision prompted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to withdraw from direct talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
© Islam Times