An official statement issued here today by the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the Israeli demolition of the Shepherd Hotel in East Jerusalem (Al-Quds) to establish a settlement in its place. The Swiss foreign ministry has said that this procedure is a violation of international law and impedes efforts to resume peace talks. The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed that East Jerusalem is part and parcel of the occupied Palestinian territories and its annexation to Israel is illegal, demanding that the Israeli authorities respect international law and do not impede the peace process.