Switzerland has become the latest nation that has asked Israel to stop all its settlement activities in the occupied territories. In a statement released on Thursday July 23, 2009, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said, “Switzerland is deeply concerned about the destruction of Palestinian houses in East Jerusalem near the old town and the planned eviction of Palestinian families.” It also said that East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian territories and under international humanitarian law Israel must protect the local civilian population, and that, “There is no military necessity that could justify the destruction of these houses or the evictions of Palestinian families. The Israeli settlement policy is not compatible with efforts to find a lasting global solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestinians.”
(Thanks r.s)
Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, the European Union, Russia, USA and the UN - all have asked Israel to freeze its settlements.
ReplyDeleteIndia, which aspires to be a world class technology giant and economic super power, is strangely silent regarding Israel’s settlements. I suppose Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is still thinking about how to respond and what to say. I wonder whether a cup of strong Darjeeling tea might help to wake him up.
VAA, I Palestine has no better friend than India, if Palestine gently communicates the facts to India. Instead of attacking countries, why don't you try to gently and respectfully reach out to them, and win them over. I don't think PM Singh knows much about Palestine. I don't think any Indina PM has. Educate him.
ReplyDeleteWhat is China's position? By the way, VAA, I am pretty sure than India formally opposes settlements too.
ReplyDelete<span><span><span style="color: #666666;">The pro-Israel lobby, long seen as an immutable part of American politics, may be headed toward obsolescence.</span></span></span>
ReplyDeletehttp://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=same_as_it_ever_was_09
<span>VAA, I think Palestine could get Indian help if Palestine gently communicates the facts to India. Instead of attacking countries, why don't you try to gently and respectfully reach out to them, and win them over. I don't think PM Singh knows much about Palestine. I don't think any Indian PM has. Educate him. Educate the Indian public.
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I think India opposes settlements. What is China's position on settlements?
ReplyDelete<span style=""> I don't think any Indian PM has. Educate him. Educate the Indian public.anand</span>
ReplyDeleteFrom experience anand !!! It's impossible.
That's a good article thanks..
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