2.         Specifically, the draft resolution calls for the cessation of all Israeli settlement activities and for affirmative steps to reverse the negative trends on the ground that are endangering the two-state solution.

3.         It also urges all parties to take immediate steps to prevent all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, and calls for accountability. The text further urges all parties to intensify their efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East and to end Israeli occupation.

4.         The draft resolution received overwhelming support from among the 15 Council members with 14 votes in favour with an abstention by the US, paving the way for its adoption as Security Council Resolution 2334.

5.         The last time the Security Council adopted a draft resolution on illegal Israeli settlement was over 36 years ago in 1980. The last attempt to push for a draft resolution on settlements failed in 2011, as it was vetoed by the US, although it was supported by all other 14 Council members.

 6.        In introducing the draft to the Security Council, Malaysia appealed to all Council members to exercise their legal, political and moral responsibility to vote in support of the draft resolution, which is based on previous Council resolutions, the values and principles of the UN Charter, international law, and international standard of human rights.

7.         Malaysia also highlighted the need to end the almost half a century of Israeli occupation of Palestine, which had given rise to and sustained the settlement enterprise.

8.         Other than Resolution 2334, Malaysia had demonstrated its unwavering commitment to Palestine by organizing three informal Council meetings on Palestine throughout its two-year membership of the Security Council focusing on the situation in Gaza, on the protection of Palestinian civilians, and on illegal Israeli settlements. These initiatives contributed significantly in laying the ground for the vote today.

9.         Such initiatives are consistent with Malaysia’s long-standing foreign policy to fully support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, especially the right to self-determination, for an independent State of Palestine with the realisation of two states, Palestine and Israel, living side by side, based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

10.       Although Malaysia’s term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council will end by 31 December 2016, Malaysia will continue to play an active role as a UN member state in contributing towards seriously addressing the underlying issues and root causes of the Israeli occupation and for the attainment of a just, lasting and peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.