Mideast peace process at dangerous standstill

The United Nations (UN) said that the Palestinian-Israeli peace process is passing through a dangerous standstill despite ongoing intensive efforts between the parties to avoid renewed deadlock. The recent actions on the ground have not contributed to a conducive environment for dialogue, the UN media center late Tuesday quoted Director of the Division for Palestinian Rights Department of Political Affairs Wolfgang Grieger as saying. Israel has continued its settlement activities, contrary to international law and its commitments under the Road Map, as well as the separation wall which impedes the movement of the Palestinians, Grieger added on the sidelines of the Asian and Pacific Meeting in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace, held in Bangkok. \"Since the beginning of this year, and contrary to Israel’s obligations under international law, more than 370 Palestinians structures have been demolished in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, displacing some 600 people, including women, children and elderly,\" the UN official added. \"The only way to avoid more suffering and violence is through negotiations aimed at resolving all permanent status issues, Grieger said, calling the international community, including the countries of Asia and the Pacific, to act collectively to help steer the situation towards a historic peace agreement. The Asian meeting aims at encouraging broad international governmental and non-governmental action to achieveg a peaceful solution to the conflict, based on a shared vision of two states, living side by side in peace and security.