Israeli settlement policy defies peace principles
Regional, Politics, 9/29/1997

The Arab Parliamentary Union stated that Israel's settlement policy constitutes a dangerous challenge to the principles of the Middle East peace process, and kills any hopes for resuming peace talks.

The Arab Parliamentary Union issued a communique on September 28 in which it said Israel's announcement of new settlement in Ras Al Amoud district in Jerusalem and building 300 housing units for the Israeli settlers near Bethlehem is a continuation of Netanyahu's policy of Judaizing Jerusalem, canceling the Islamic Arab identity, and besieging Arab cities with settlements. It also stressed that the Israeli government violates all the international legitimacy resolutions, Madrid conference principles, Oslo accord and the international community's will.

The APU said rescuing the peace process is an international responsibility that demands decisive measures against Israel to force it give up its settlement building policy and commit itself to the principles of the peace process.

In the communique, the APU condemned the new Turkish incursion in northern Iraq, describing it as an open violation against Iraq's sovereignty and a threat of its independence and regional unity.

The APU also said the incursion is a clear violation of the UN charter and international law. The APU called on Turkey to withdraw its forces immediately from Iraq's lands and to respect Iraq's sovereignty, independence and unity.

Mean while Emir of Bahrain Sheikh Issa Bin Salman stated on September 28 that Israeli government's decision to continue settlement building in the occupied Arab lands has harmed the efforts the US has exerted to resume the Middle East peace process.

Previous Stories:
  Netanyahu promises to expand settlements, snubs the US   (9/25/1997)
  Arab union to meet in Sanaa   (9/5/1997)

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