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Russia urges Israel to halt settlements construction

02 November 2011 21:54 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed on Wednesday its "serious concerns" over Israel’s new plan of settlements building in the West Bank and Jerusalem, urging Israel to halt its settlements construction, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

In a statement posed on its official website, the ministry reiterated Russia’s position on the issue, saying that "any construction in the occupied territories is illegal under the accepted norms of international law and must cease."

"We once again strongly urge the Israeli government to avoid any unilateral action that would forestall the outcome of the negotiation process on the definitive status of the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem," said the ministry.

The ministry also mentioned Israel’s decision to temporarily suspend the transfer to the Palestinian Authority of duties it levies on imports to the territories, saying Israel’s move contradicts its obligations under previous agreements signed with Palestine and would lead to the deterioration of Palestine’s economy and people’s living conditions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday called on a new wave of settlement building in the West Bank and Jerusalem, after Palestine is granted full membership of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).