NEW YORK, 4 December 2003 — Saudi Arabia yesterday denounced Israeli efforts to thwart international initiatives to establish peace in the Middle East and accused the Jewish state of practicing terrorism in a flagrant violation of international resolutions.
Fawzi Shubokshi, the Kingdom’s representative at the United Nations, said continuing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people was proof of the determination of the Israeli government to block any effort to achieve a just and comprehensive peace settlement.
“The international community must put pressure on Israel until it complies with UN resolutions,” said Shubokshi in an address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
Speaking about the so-called security wall, he said it aimed at taking over more Palestinian territories and preventing the establishment of the proposed Palestinian state. He underlined the importance of exerting more efforts for the settlement of the Palestinian problem and realizing peace and security for all countries in the region.
He said Saudi Arabia had spared no effort in supporting all peaceful efforts which aim at achieving a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian problem.
Shubokshi pointed out that the report prepared by the Committee for Inalienable Palestinian Rights had illustrated the tragic situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. “The Israeli government has been practicing terrorism against Palestinians in a flagrant violation of the resolutions of international legitimacy,” he added.
“Israel thinks wrongly that it can silence the Arab voice through military force and block Arab and international efforts for realizing a just and comprehensive settlement which would pave the way for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Arab territories,” he said.
