India, Brazil, SA welcome resumption of Israeli-Palestinian

India, Brazil and South Africa today supported the mediation efforts undertaken by the US Secretary of State in the Middle-East peace process and welcomed the announcement of resumption of direct negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis.
Noting that Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains an urgent and key issue for the international community, tripartite grouping IBSA said the resolution of the conflict was a prerequisite for building a sustainable and lasting peace in the Middle East region.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and his counterparts from Brazil, Antonio Patriota, and South Africa, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, after consultations, also noted with satisfaction the decision of Israel to release 104 Palestinian prisoners, which is a gesture that contributes to the spirit of cooperation surrounding the negotiations.

"As we reiterate our call for the Security Council to fully exercise its functions under the UN Charter with regard to the Palestinian Question, we express our firm belief that the Council should provide sustained support to the peace process and work towards its full and satisfactory completion," the IBSA statement said.
"We support the mediation efforts undertaken by the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and welcome the announcement of the resumption of direct final status negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis.
"This is an encouraging development, one that has the potential for reverting the deadlock and paralysis that have plagued the peace process in recent years. We hope this renewed effort will lead to the full and overdue realisation of a two-state solution based on 1967 borders," it said.

"We are also pleased with the announcement made on 30 July by Kerry indicating that the Palestinian and Israeli negotiators are committed to reaching a comprehensive peace agreement within nine months."
It said that such an agreement should culminate in the full realisation of an independent Palestinian State.
"We call on the parties to adhere strictly to this timetable," the statement said.