Iran Welcomes UN Security Council's Resolution Condemning Israeli Settlements

Rasa - Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi welcomed the UN Security Council's recent statement which condemned expansion of the Israeli settlements.

News ID: 426017

Date: 24 December 2016 - 23:33

RNA - "This resolution shows the international community's determination to end the Zionist regime's occupation and revive the rights of the Palestinian people; of course Israel has not been committed to any of international law obligations," Qassemi said.

The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman reiterated that it is quite clear that the policies and measures taken by the "Zionist regime" for the expansion of the settlement in the Palestinian lands is in complete contradiction with international laws and regulations which have always been emphasized by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"Fortunately, the international knowledge about the crimes and usurper and occupying nature of the Zionist regime is increasing; in our opinion resolving the Palestinian issues needs serious efforts by the international community in line with fulfilling the righteous rights of the oppressed people of Palestine and confronting Zionist regime's expansionist and occupying policies," he added.

Qassemi expressed the hope that the international community, specially the UN, would take fundamental and effective steps in this respect after lapse of 70 years.

On Friday, the 15-member Council adopted the resolution by a vote of 14 in favor and with one abstention – the United States abstained from the vote. The resolution had been put forward by Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela.

In the resolution, the Council reiterated its demand that Israel “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and that it fully respect all of its legal obligations in this regard.”

The Council also underlined that it will not recognize any changes to the 4 June 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties through negotiations.

The resolution called for immediate steps to prevent all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, as well as all acts of provocation and destruction, and for accountability in that regard, as well as for both parties to act on the basis of international law, including international humanitarian law, and previous agreements and obligations, “to observe calm and restraint, and to refrain from provocative actions, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric.”

It further called for compliance with obligations under international law for the strengthening of ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, including through existing security coordination, and to clearly condemn all acts of terrorism.

The Council also urged for intensification and acceleration of international and regional diplomatic efforts and support aimed at achieving, without delay a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, including the principle of land for peace, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Quartet Roadmap and an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967.

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