NEW YORK, September 19, 2015 (WAFA) - The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) called upon the international community ‘to act collectively and forthwith to compel Israel, the occupying power,  to cease its destructive and illegal practices and to abide by all of its obligations under international law, including humanitarian and human rights law.’

Nam, called in particular upon the UN security council to uphold its Charter duties to address this situation, which it said, continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security, including the dangerous situation in occupied East Jerusalem.

“The Security Council must act with urgency to implement its own resolutions to address these critical developments and to advance a peaceful solution in accordance with United Nations resolutions, the principle of land for peace and the Arab Peace Initiative.”

The movement expressed its grave concern regarding the recent ‘disturbing developments in occupied East Jerusalem due to illegal practices and measures that continue to be pursued by Israel, the occupying power.

In a statement issued on Friday, NAM further expressed concern over the ongoing incitement by Israeli religious extremists, including settlers, particularly in and around holy sites, including al-Aqsa mosque compound, as well as over ‘all acts of aggression against the Palestinian civilian population.’

The movement stressed that ‘acts of violence and the provocations and incitements at this sensitive holy site, threaten to further destabilize the already-fragile situation with far-reaching consequences.’

NAM called for all parties’ full respect for the sanctity of al-Aqsa mosque, the historic status quo and arrangements at this holy sites, and for the rights of Muslim worshipers at-Aqsa mosque to worship in peace, free of violence, threats and provocations.

It further called for full respect of international law, including the Fourth Geneva convention, as well as for respect of relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions in this regard.

It recalled the determination by the Security council that, all measures by Israel, the occupying power, which are aimed at altering the demographic composition, character, and status of occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, are illegal, null and void and must be rescinded and ceased forthwith.”

Nam reaffirmed that, “East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, whose illegal annexation by Israel has been rejected and remains unrecognized by the international community.”

The movement reaffirmed its ‘firm rejection and strong condemnation of all Israeli settlement activities and colonization policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem.’

It reiterated its call for the immediate cessation of all such illegal Israeli actions and the cessation of the provocative, reckless declarations that continue to be made by Israeli settlement officials and religious leaders in this regard.

Regarding its position toward Israel’s ongoing settlement activities, NAM stressed that they constitute grave violations of international law, including humanitarian law, relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and General Assembly resolutions, and the July 2004 Advisory Opinion of the International court of Justice.

It deplored that ‘Israel’s settlement colonization measures have severally fragmented the contiguity of the Palestinian land, as well as gravely undermined the viability of the two-state solution the basis of the pre-1967 borders, and the prospect for achieving peace on that basis.

It called for the immediate and complete halt of all settlement colonization activities, including the construction of settlement and the separation wall, the confiscation of Palestinian land, the destruction of homes and properties, the forced displacement of Palestinians, the transfer of Israeli settlers, and the exploitation of natural resources in the occupied Palestinian Territory, which it said, continue to be perpetrated in grave breach of international law.

Nam condemned all acts of violence, terror, provocation and incitement against Palestinian civilians, including children, and acts of destruction and vandalism of Palestinian properties and land by Israeli settlers, calling for the perpetrators of these crimes to be brought to justice.

It stressed that Israel’s illegal settlement campaign remains the major obstacle to peace, undermining all efforts to resume a credible peace process, and casts serious doubts on Israel’s alleged commitment to bringing an end to its 48-year foreign occupation of the Palestinian land and achieving the two-state solution.

The movement reaffirmed ‘its unwavering calls for a complete end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories that began in 1967, as well as calls for the exercise by the Palestinian people of their inalienable rights, including their right to self-determination and freedom in their independent state of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as it s capital, and the achievement of a long overdue justice for the Palestinian people and peace in the region.’

T.R.