Kerry: Israel's settlements in Palestinian territory, violation of int'l law
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New York, Dec 29, IRNA -- US Secretary of State John Kerry has criticized the Zionist regime's officials for their recent stance on the UN anti-settlement resolution (2334), stressing that settlement construction in the Palestinian lands is a violation of the international laws.
'…, we have an honest, clear-eyed conversation about the uncomfortable truths and difficult choices, because the alternative that is fast becoming the reality on the ground is in nobody's interest – not the Israelis, not the Palestinians, not the region – and not the United States,' Kerry said during a weekly press briefing in Washington on December 28.
The UN Security Council has recently passed a resolution which declared Israel's settlements on the occupied Palestinian territories 'have no legal validity.'
'Regrettably, some seem to believe that the US friendship means the US must accept any policy, regardless of our own interests, our own positions, our own words, our own principles – even after urging again and again that the policy must change.
'Friends need to tell each other the hard truths, and friendships require mutual respect,' Kerry noted during his Wednesday press briefing.
The UN Resolution 2334 was adopted on December 23 by 14 votes in favor and one abstention, the US.
US abstention has infuriated Tel Aviv with the Zionist officials vowing not to abide by the resolution terms.
According to the landmark resolution, the Zionist regime is urged to stop its settelment construction activity and fulfill its obligation as an occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Following passage of the resolution, the Zionist regime's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Israel rejects this shameful anti-Israel resolution at the UN and will not abide by its terms."
Netanyahu spokesman has later told CNN: 'We have iron-clad information, frankly, that the Obama administration really helped push this resolution and helped craft it, from sources internationally and sources in the Arab world.'
1483**1394
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
