NEW YORK, January 2, 2013 (WAFA) – The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) condemned the ongoing provocative, illegal actions by Israel, including settlement plans in the occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and the withholding of the Palestinian tax revenues, Wednesday said a statement issued by NAM.

The Israeli actions have intensified following the United Nations General Assembly updating of Palestine to a non-member observer state status.

The Movement 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, said the statement.

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 said that Israel has declared this decision in retaliation for the adoption of General Assembly resolution 67/19. Such a deplorable act constitutes a blatant unlawful acquisition of funds and collective punishment.

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.

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.

“The message must be sent to Israel that it is expected to fully abide by its commitments under international law, uphold the rule of law, cease all illegal measures intended to alter and prejudge the situation on the ground, cease all provocations and incitement, including by its illegally transferred settlers, against the Palestinian people and their leadership,” said the statement.

The Movement reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to a just and comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, with the question of Palestine at its core, and to the immediate restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including to exercise self-determination and sovereignty in their independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.

T.R./F.R.