Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
The Department of Foreign Affairs has called on the Government of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahy to take all possible measures to prevent an escalation of tension following the provocative actions of a small group of Israeli settlers who established an unauthorised settlement in East Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives (Ras al Amud).
The Department condemned the action of the settlers, pointing out that it is in direct opposition to the spirit of the Oslo Peace Accords and blatantly seeks to create facts on the ground before the outcome of final status negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis.
The Department once again called on all parties to the Peace Process not to engage in acts of provocation calculated to endanger the stability and security of the region.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 17 SEPTEMBER 1997