20 April 2017, New York, Speaking at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on "the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question", the Deputy Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations Ms. Farzana Zahir expressed concern over the continued expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied territory of the State of Palestine by Israel.

The Maldives expressed concern for the continuous disregard to international law by Israel, and condemned its recent decision to create new settlements in Geulat Zion, further exacerbating tensions in the region and undermining any credible solution towards peace.  In this regard, the Maldives called on Israel to respect its international obligations in particular to the United Nations Security Council resolution2334 (2016), which calls on Israel to take steps to cease all settlement activities in the occupied territory of the State of Palestine.

The Maldives statement further reiterated its call for a two-state solution recognizing the sovereign and independent State of Palestine, based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Deputy Permanent Representative Farzana, while also reflecting on the ongoing situation in Syria urged the Security Council for concrete progress in the implementation of it's resolutions on issues relating to the Middle East.

ENDS