Russian parliamentarians call their Israeli and Palestinian colleagues for dialogue

The Federation Council, upper house of the Russian parliament, adopted on Wednesday an appeal to the Israeli Knesset and Palestinian Legislative Council. The Russian legislators claim that "in spite of efforts by the international community, the Middle East unfortunately remains a region, whose ethnic and religious tensions engender extremist and terrorist acts all over the world." The Israeli and Palestinian leaders, the document emphasises, must realise that they are "equally responsible for not allowing their peoples co-exist peacefully".

The Federation Council called them for new efforts and initiatives, which "could drive the peace process out of the current deadlock." Further, the appeal stresses that the "peace settlement is not only a cause of executives, but legislators as well." "The elected popular representatives must realise their responsibility and join hands to restore peace in the Middle East," the document reads.

The Federation Council has suggested that the Israeli Knesset and the Palestinian Legislative Council regain constructive dialogue aimed at ceasing the acts of violence and their incitement and voiced its readiness to help resume and maintain the dialogue.