(VOVworld) – 70 countries have called on Israel and Palestine to restate their commitment to a peace resettlement and a two-sate solution. In a statement issued on Sunday following a conference for peace in the Middle East in Paris, the diplomats urged Israel and Palestine to refrain from taking unilateral actions that could undermine peace talks. The statement is seen as a strong message to Israel and the next US administration on the two-state solution.
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Diplomats from 70 countries attended a conference for peace in the Middle East in Paris on 15/01/2017. (Photo: EPA/VNA)
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Palestine welcomed the statement and called on the international community to recognize the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erakat said the statement stresses the need to end Israeli military occupation. However, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the statement and branded it “useless”.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said it would have been inappropriate to include the issue of moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem in the joint statement. But, Kerry reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to a two-state solution and said the US is seeking a solution that satisfies both sides.
The UK only attended the conference as an observer and refused to sign the final statement.