Russia condemns Israeli Knesset decision to perpetuate occupation of the Golan

Russia has condemned the decision recently adopted by the Israeli Knesset concerning the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and Jerusalem adding that such a decision creates major additional complications against the peace process in the region.

Spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Vladimir Rahmanin, said on Thursday, "It is natural to evaluate this new Israeli step as an assertion of the Israeli position concerning the Middle East peace process."

He regretted that this decision increases the obstacles before resuming negotiations on the Israeli-Syrian track.

Recently, the Israeli Knesset adopted a decision provided for that any future solution to be taken by the Israeli government concerning territories under Israeli law -- including the Golan and East Jerusalem -- should be submitted to the Israeli Knesset for consent and then to a general referendum in Israel.