Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT: REACTION TO RESOLUTION ES-10/3 ADOPTED BY THE 10TH EMERGENCY SPECIAL SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON 15 JULY 1997, CONDEMNING ISRAELI SETTLEMENT POLICIES.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has on several occasions in the past year stated that the Netanyahu Government's policies of building settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is not only illegal in terms of International Law, but is also an obstacle to peace in the region.
At the Resumed 10th Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly a Resolution was passed, by a margin of 131 votes in favour to 3 against with 14 abstentions, demanding the immediate cessation and reversal of Israel's illegal settlement construction policies in East Jerusalem. South Africa voted in favour of the Resolution. Member states demonstrated their rejection of the settlement policies of the Israeli government, by overwhelmingly endorsing this Resolution.
Although Resolutions of the UN General Assembly do not have binding force, South Africa strongly believes that the overwhelming support for the Resolution indicates the growing concern of the international community. This Resolution is a warning to the Government of Israel that its present policies constitute a threat to peace, stability and security throughout the Middle East and if the Government persists with its present policies, many countries will be obliged to implement the Resolution.
South Africa therefore once again calls upon the Government of Israel to cease all settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and to implement the provisions of the agreements it has concluded with the Palestinians.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 21 JULY 1997 PRETORIA