UN anti-discrimination subcommittee holds Israel responsible for deteriorating situation

The UN anti-discrimination subcommittee in charge of human rights has held Israel responsible for the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, and for the deadlock of the peace process as a result of its rejection of UN and security council resolutions.

In a draft resolution the committee called for a complete and unconditional Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan heights, the Palestinian lands including Jerusalem, and South Lebanon and western Bekaa in accordance with the land for peace principle.

"The realization of a just and comprehensive peace in the region requires the Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Arab lands, and the implementation of the Security council resolutions," the committee added.

It condemned the Israeli policy of building settlements on the Palestinian lands, describing it as an open violation of human rights.

The committee also differentiated between terrorism and the people's right to resist foreign occupation.