UN considers Israeli settlements in the Golan as illegal

7/29/2005

The UN Social and Economic Council has stressed the illegality of the Israeli settlements in the occupied Syrian Golan and the occupied Palestinian territories including Jerusalem, indicating that the such an occupation hinders socio-economic development.

In a statement issued yesterday following a special session, the council underlined that the racial separation wall which Israel is building in the occupied Palestinian territories constitutes a violation of international law, calling Israel to commit itself to the relevant decision of the International Court of Justice.

The statement also called Israel to respect the Child Rights Agreement in the occupied Syrian Golan. The council demanded Israel not to exploit the natural and economic resources of the occupied territories, stressing the right of the Golan citizens to use these resources.

The council called for the application of Geneva Convention regarding protection of the civilians rights at time of war in occupied territories, stressing the illegality of capturing land by force. These decisions were unanimously adopted by the members of the UN council