Mr. President,
In our statement to the Security Council on 5 March, Sweden expressed deep concern about Israeli Government decisions and plans for settlements on occupied territory, the most recent being that at Jabal Abu Ghneim/Har Homa on the occupied West Bank in the Jerusalem area.
We worked hard to see this concern - and I believe this is the concern of all of us expressed in a Security Council resolution supported by all. Regrettably, the Council failed to agree.
During the past few days, Sweden has been actively engaged in trying to reach agreement on a presidential statement. Again, I cannot but strongly regret that no agreement was achieved in the Council.
Only when the Security Council agrees to speak with one voice can it send a clear message and make its influence felt and understood by the parties directly involved.
Sweden voted in favour of the draft resolution in front of us. We fully support its contents.
The Foreign Minister of Sweden, Mrs. Lena Hjelm-Wallén, deplored in a statement on 19 March that construction had commenced on the Jabal Abu Ghneim hill. She called upon the Israeli Government to abandon its settlement policy.
This morning, the Foreign Minister strongly condemned the terrorist attack in central Tel Aviv. She urged restraint in order to prevent an escalation of the violence.
In conclusion, I will repeat the words of my Foreign Minister: The only way forward is to return to the peace process.
Thank you, Mr. President.