Maged Abdelaziz, the permanent representative of Egypt to the UN, said here Monday that Israel must stop infringing on the Occupied Palestinian Territories in order to allow a two-state solution to be negotiated in the Middle East.
The Egyptian ambassador made the statement when he was speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at a UN meeting to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
"The Non-Aligned Movement reaffirms its unwavering commitment to a just and comprehensive solution to the question of Palestine, and to the immediate restoration of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people, including to exercise self-determination and sovereignty in their independent state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital," said Abdelaziz.
Abdelaziz said that Israel must refrain from violating building settlements in Palestinian territories if peace talks are to be successful. The most recent direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine stalled in September after Israel failed to renew a moratorium on settlement activities.
"The occupying power's blatant contempt of the unanimous position of the international community and its absolute disrespect of its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, has been more evident than ever since expiration of the date of the so-called 'partial moratorium' on settlement activities," Abdelaziz said.
Abdelaziz further stressed the need for the international community to participate in the peace process and to hold Israel accountable.
"NAM stresses the need for the international community to remain untied in its demand that Israel respect its legal obligations as an occupying power and ceases forthwith its violations," he said. "Accountability at this stage is imperative and the international community must not waver in its demands."
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