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SI Middle East Committee

Negotiations a priority for peace

09-10 June 2011

 

Statement of the Socialist International Middle East Committee (SIMEC),  9-10 June 2011


Recalling the SI resolution on the Middle East adopted in Santo Domingo in November 2009 and the SI Council statement on the Middle East agreed in New York in June 2010,

The Committee reaffirms the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, and reaffirms its commitment, in accordance with international law, to end the Israeli occupation that started in 1967 in order to achieve the two-State solution of Israel and Palestine.

SIMEC expresses the urgent need for the resumption and accelerated advancement of negotiations towards the conclusion of a final peaceful settlement by ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory that began in 1967, on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions, especially of the Security Council, the terms of reference of the Madrid Conference, and the Arab Peace Initiative;

In this regard, the SIMEC reaffirms that Israeli settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, are illegal and constitute a gross violation of international law, and a major obstacle to peace; and reiterates its demand for the complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities, including so-called “natural growth”, the cessation of the construction and dismantlement of the Israeli wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem as well as the cessation of all other unilateral measures aimed at altering the character, status and demographic composition of the City and of the Territory as a whole, in order to allow for the resumption of a credible peace process to resolve core issues including the refugee issue in accordance with international law and UN resolution 194 ;

The SI Middle East Committee calls on the two sides to renew negotiations with a view to reaching a permanent agreement leading to the end of occupation and the creation of a Palestinian State, within the framework of a total freeze of settlements, while refraining from unilateral actions.

Failing this, SIMEC supports the recognition of the State of Palestine on the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem as its capital, and calls for the support of the Palestine state building efforts as well as the admission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations in its upcoming General Assembly session;

SIMEC welcomes and supports the Palestinian reconciliation agreement, which is key to peace and democracy, and calls for the recognition of and cooperation with the Palestinian unity government on the reconciliation agreement;

SIMEC calls on all parties to renounce violence and accept all agreements arrived at with the PLO;

SIMEC welcomes the “Arab Spring”, brought on by the success of peaceful popular movements in the region seeking freedom democracy and social justice as legitimate aspirations of the people of the region. In this regard, the SIMEC supports the Palestinian peaceful struggle to end occupation and achieve freedom and self-determination and calls on Israel to stop any form of violence and suppression against the Palestinian none-violent demonstrations and their leaders.

The SI Middle East Committee will continue its efforts with the parties concerned towards the attainment of a peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the promotion of peace in the region.


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