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Quartet reps. oppose Israel's ongoing settlement activity

NEW YORK, Sept 23 (KUNA) -- Middle East Quartet representatives emphasized Friday their strong opposition to ongoing Israeli settlement activity, stressing it is "an obstacle to peace." The Quartet includes UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, US Secretary of State John Kerry and EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, who all met on the sidelines of the 71st General Assembly in New York.
The Quartet Principals were joined by the Foreign Ministers of Egypt and France during the second part of the meeting to brief on their work to support Middle East peace.
In a statement released after the meeting, it confirmed that all agreed on the importance of close and continuing coordination of all efforts to achieve the common goal of the two-state solution.
The Quartet emphasized its strong opposition to ongoing settlement activity, which is an obstacle to peace, and expressed its grave concern that the acceleration of settlement construction and expansion in Area C and East Jerusalem, including the retroactive "legalization" of existing units, and the continued high rate of demolitions of Palestinian structures, are steadily eroding the viability of the two-state solution.
The Quartet reiterated its call on the parties to implement the recommendations of the Quartet Report of July 1st, 2016, and create the conditions for the resumption of meaningful negotiations that will end the occupation that began in 1967 and resolve all final status issues.
In the statement, the Quartet recalled its findings from the Quartet Report and expressed concern about recent actions on the ground that run counter to its recommendations.
The Quartet expressed serious concern for the continuing dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, exacerbated by the closures of the crossings as well as for the illicit arms build-up and activity by militant Palestinian groups, including rockets fired towards Israel, which increase the risk of renewed conflict. In addition, advancing Palestinian national unity on the basis of the PLO platform and Quartet principles remains a priority.
Condemning the recent resurgence of violence, the Quarter called on all sides to take all necessary steps to de-escalate tensions by exercising restraint, preventing incitement, refraining from provocative actions and rhetoric, and protecting the lives and property of all civilians.
The Quartet also stressed the growing urgency of taking affirmative steps to reverse these trends in order to prevent entrenching a one-state reality of perpetual occupation and conflict that is incompatible with realizing the national aspirations of both peoples.
They acknowledged certain practical steps and agreements by Israel and the Palestinian Authority that could improve conditions for the Palestinian people, while stressing the importance of full and timely implementation. The Quartet also noted the "importance of a political horizon and reiterated its call for significant policy shifts consistent with the transition to greater Palestinian civil authority contemplated by prior agreements and called for in the Quartet Report." They underlined its commitment to achieving a negotiated, comprehensive, just and enduring resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 and 338., and appreciated for the efforts of the UN Special Coordinator.
The statement said the Quart directed its Envoys to continue engaging with the parties and key stakeholders and to keep the Principals apprised on implementation of the Report's recommendations. (end) mao.bs