GENEVA – The greatest obstacle to peace efforts in the Middle East is Israel's acceleration of settlements in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, said Dr. Abdulwahab Attar, permanent representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, here Monday. During a discussion of the Human Rights Council on the situation in the occupied Palestinian and other Arab territories, Dr. Attar said that there has been a spurt in the Jewish settlements, particularly in east Al-Quds. He said that the international community should share responsibility to stop the aggressive Israeli practices and violations of the rights of the Palestinian people and coerce Israel to halt settlement operations, adopt peace and recognize the right of Palestinian people to establish their independent state. A UN report published Monday said Israel must do more to halt a string of serious violations of Palestinian human rights documented by a 2009 mission. There is a “need to more earnestly pursue accountability for the serious violations of human rights,” Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-wha Kang said. – Agencies
