Hamas Official Urges Int’l Pressure on Israel to End Illegal Settlements

Rasa - A senior member of the Political Bureau of the Palestinian Resistance Movement, Hamas, hailed a recent United Nations Security Council resolution against Israeli settlements, calling for international pressure on Tel Aviv to stop its illegal settlement activity.

News ID: 426341

Date: 07 January 2017 - 14:39

RNA - Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Khalil al-Hayya said the UNSC resolution demanding the halt of Israel’s settlement activity once again highlighted the fact that the Zionist regime’s occupation and its settlements are illegal and illegitimate.

“Today, we appreciate the countries that submitted the draft of the resolution and those that voted in favor of it,” he said.

The Hamas official added, however, that it is not enough and those countries should pressure the Israeli occupiers to implement the UN resolution and leave the Palestinian nation’s territories.

Hayaa’s comments came after the UNSC voted in favor of the resolution demanding the halt of Israeli settlements.

The resolution was put forward at the 15-member council for a vote in late December by New Zealand, Malaysia, Venezuela and Senegal, a day after Egypt withdrew it under pressure from Israel and US President-elect Donald Trump.

The UN resolution, while mostly symbolic, could further isolate Israel and hinder its negotiating position in future peace talks.

All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. Tel Aviv has defied international calls to stop the settlements expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories.

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