Algérie Presse Service (APS) - Feb. 7, 2013
Algeria reiterated yesterday in Cairo, Egypt, its condemnation of the continuation of Israel's occupation and practices, namely the continued illegal building of Jewish colonies as well as the construction of the separation wall, the blockade imposed on Gaza, and the constant violations of the rights of the Palestinian people.

Speaking at a session of the summit meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation devoted to Israeli settlements in occupied Arab territories, President of the Council of the Nation Abdelkader Bensalah said Algeria deplores the inability of the international community to impose to this its will and international legality in the Middle East region.

He added that the Palestinian people face multiple challenges brought about by illegal Israeli practices which have accentuated since Palestine achieved observer state status within the United Nations, which "constitutes a significant achievement and qualitative progress on the path to creating a Palestinian state."

Mr. Bensalah urged the heads of state and government of the OIC attending the meeting to pass "recommendations commensurate with current challenges," to enforce the decision reached by the investigative committee set up by the UN Human Rights Council, which views colonization as an illegal act and a violation of the rights of the Palestinian people and considers Israeli practices acts likely to be qualified as crimes against humanity.

Furthermore, in the same framework, he reiterated the call for adoption of the decision adopted at the initiative of Algeria by the council of foreign ministers at its last session in Djibouti and exhorting the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to contribute to supporting Al Qods and Al Aqsa funds in application of the principle of Islamic solidarity.