Russia urges UN to send international mission to Israel and Palestine

2011-04-22 05:40:59 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW (BNO NEWS) -- Russia has once again urged the United Nations to send an international mission to the Middle East to try to resume talks between Israel and Palestine.

"In current circumstances, the Russian initiative to send a UN Security Council mission to the Middle East is especially relevant because it aims to bring the sides back to talks," Alexander Pankin, the first deputy of Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, said during a UN Security Council meeting on Thursday.

According to RIA Novosti, Pankin also called on Israel to stop settlements building and lift the blockade of Gaza, while he urged Hamas to assure security in the enclave. He also stressed the importance of inter-Palestinian reconciliation for the creation of an "independent, viable, territorially integral and sovereign Palestinian state."

The Israel-Palestine talks have been stalled since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to extend a moratorium on settlement building in occupied Palestinian territory in September 2010. In response, Palestinian President Abbas broke off direct talks.

A meeting of the Quartet of Middle East mediators planned for March was postponed by request of the United States. Russia, which comprises the Quartet together with the United States, the European Union and the UN, regretted that talks scheduled for April 15 were delayed again.

The United Nations political affairs chief Lynn Pascoe also on Thursday urged Israel and Palestine to revive Middle East peace talks and end the continuing deadlock.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-22

Russia is sending a message: If you don't want to deal with the quartet, fine then deal with others who are not as understanding of both Arab and Israeli positions.

Israelis asked to give up everything & the Muslims can offer pie in the sky. Just say NO.