UN Security Council Calls For Two-State Solution To Be Respected In Middle East

The UN Security Council made a rare show of unity Monday when it called on all parties to maintain their support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. “Council Members reiterated their support for a negotiated two-state solution… where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders,” said a statement released by Belgium, which holds the rotating presidency, and supported by all 14 other members, including the United States.

“All parties should refrain from undermining the viability of the two-state solution in order to maintain the prospects for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace,” the statement added, an allusion to Israel’s recently announced intention to build thousands more homes in East Jerusalem, in an area claimed by the Palestinians.

The council also “stressed the need to exert collective efforts to launch credible negotiations on all final status issues” and expressed “grave concern about acts of violence against civilians.” The statement came amid two days of rising tensions in the region, with the Palestinian terror group Islamic Jihad firing rockets at Israel following the killing of three of its members in the Gaza Strip and Syria. -Full Report

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UN Reiterates Support for 2-State Israel-Palestine Solution