UNITED NATIONS – The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has condemned the ongoing Israel’s “provocative and illegal” actions, including settlement plans in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and the withholding of the Palestinian tax revenues.
In a press statement issued by NAM on Wednesday, the Israeli actions have intensified following the United Nations General Assembly upgrading of Palestine to a non-member observer state status.
The Movement said it considered all these actions null and void and stressed that Israel, the occupying Power, should immediately rescind these plans and measures and cease completely all settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
“These successive deplorable actions included the announcements by Israel of plans for the expansion of existing settlements as well as the establishment of new settlements in occupied East Jerusalem and the West bank, in deliberate and grave breach of relevant principles and rules of international law and international humanitarian law, in particular the 4th Geneva Convention which governs situations of foreign occupation, and in blatant contempt of the will of the international community,” the statement said.
The Non-Aligned Movement also condemned Israel’s decision to withhold Palestinian tax revenues due to the Palestinian National Authority in violation of agreements reached between the two sides and international law.
“It is impairing the ability of the Palestinian National Authority to deliver public services, pay public sector salaries and operate governmental institutions. It further aggravates the financial crisis imposed on the Palestinian National Authority,” it added.
The NAM reiterated its continuous calls to the Security Council to shoulder its responsibility and take all necessary measures to ensure that Israel immediately terminates all these illegal actions.