Vladimir Safronkov, Special Representative of the Russian Foreign Minister for the Middle East Settlement (MIS), discussed at consultations with representatives of BRICS countries the prospects of an early restart of peace talks between Palestine and Israel on the basis of the two-state principle of settlement.
"Participants in the consultations expressed serious concern about the dangerous escalation of tensions between Palestine and Israel. In this regard, called on both sides to an immediate cessation of violence and strict compliance with international humanitarian law. They stressed the importance of an early restart of direct Palestinian-Israeli negotiations with the aim of a comprehensive and long-term solution to all final status issues on the basis of a two-state settlement," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on Monday.
The diplomats expressed support for the relevant efforts of the "quartet" of international mediators (Russia, US, UN, EU), and also stated the significant potential of the BRICS format in the search and promotion of collective political and diplomatic solutions to the problems of the Middle East region. "A common focus was expressed on continuing cooperation and deepening the political dialogue on these topics among the members of the five," the report said.
Palestinian radical groups in Gaza and the Israeli army have been exchanging strikes since May 10. The missile attacks followed riots at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, which began because of an Israeli court decision to seize homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood from Arab families living there. According to the latest figures, at least 10 people were killed on the Israeli side and hundreds were injured. The Palestinian side reports more than 200 deaths and nearly 6,000 injuries during the current escalation of the conflict with Israel.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Zuma \ TASS
Based on materials from TASS