Mr. President,
Sweden deplores the recent decision by the Israeli Government to extend the jurisdiction of the Jerusalem municipal authority. The decision constitutes yet another in a succession of measures by Israel to change the demographics of Jerusalem and to strengthen the position of the occupying power, such as the demolition of houses in the Old City of Jerusalem and the decision to construct new housing in the Jabal Abu Ghneim area.
It is the long-standing position of my Government that all Israeli settlements in the occupied territory are illegal under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. This includes settlements in East Jerusalem.
The Israeli settlement policy endangers the Middle East Peace Process in its entirety. It violates the letter and spirit of the Declaration of Principles.
Settlement activities establish facts on the ground which prejudge the final status negotiations. Actions which change the status of Jerusalem ahead of such negotiations cannot be tolerated. The Israeli Government must rescind all such decisions, including the latest action which is the reason for today's debate.
Sweden urges Israel to accept – as the Palestinians have already done – the American proposals on a further withdrawal from areas on the West Bank. This is at present the only way to regain the dynamics of the Peace Process and resume final status negotiations.
Back in 1993, the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization embarked on a historic negotiating process that should lead to a permanent settlement by 4 May 1999, based on Security Council resolutions 242 and 338. Israel and the PLO then agreed that true and lasting security for the two peoples can only be achieved through a political process, at the negotiating table.
Only such a negotiating process can pave the way for a comprehensive and just settlement that can lead to lasting peace in the Middle East.
Thank you, Mr. President.