ISLAMABAD: Pakistan today [March 5] condemned Israel for refusing to pull out troops from occupied Arab territories after the “positive response” by the United Arab Republic to Ambassador Jarring’s peace proposals. Com­menting on Israel’s refusal, a Foreign Office spokesman referred to the constructive position adopted by the Arab countries for a peaceful settlement of the Middle East question and said: “If even now Israel does not see path of reason, the consequences can only be regarded as of its own making”.

The spokesman stated: “The recent refusal by Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories of the Arab countries violates the Security Council Resolution No. 242 of 22 November 1967. It militates against the principles, clearly established in the Charter of the United Nations, of the inadmissibility of acquisition of territory by forces.

“Coming as it does immediately after the positive response by the United Arab Republic to Ambassador Jarring’s proposals, this refusal deserves condemnation by all peace-loving countries. The Arab countries have always sought peace with justice in the Middle East. Once again, they have adopted a constructive position....”

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2021