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Santo Domingo Council

Council resolution on the Middle East

23-24 November 2009


The Council of the Socialist International reaffirms its conviction that a solution of the Israeli-Arab conflict by creating a Palestinian state, by recognising the right of Israel to live in peace within internationally recognised borders, and by putting an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territory occupied in 1967 including East Jerusalem is a crucial step to create peace and stability in the region as a whole.

The Council expresses its concern regarding the continued stalemate in the Middle East Peace Process, and stresses the urgency of a prompt return to serious, effective and substantial negotiations, on the basis of the agreed upon terms of reference – the provisions of international law, UN resolutions and earlier signed agreements – to establish the independent, sovereign and viable democratic Palestinian state in the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Council reaffirms that Israeli settlement activities in the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, “natural growth”, bypass roads and the building of a Separation Wall on occupied territory, are illegal and constitute a gross violation of international law, and a major obstacle to peace. They also constitute a violation of the signed commitment to abstain from “any unilateral action liable to prejudice the outcome of final status negotiations”. They must be halted at once in order to make territorial negotiations possible, and credible.

The Council calls upon all governments to put an end to the blockade of the Gaza strip which constitutes a collective punishment.

The Council urges the international community, to support the efforts of the Palestinian government in building the economic and institutional foundations of the Palestinian state, and in reconstructing Gaza.

The Council congratulates Fatah for its recent congress and takes note of the positive reorganisation of its democratic life.
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