Russia Interested in Resuming Israeli-Palestinian Peace Dialogue

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the quartet of international mediators, is interested in creating conditions for the resumption of the peace process between Israel and Palestine.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Moscow is interested in seeing the peace process between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority recommence, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday.

"Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the quartet of international mediators, is interested in creating conditions for the resumption of the peace process between Israel and Palestine in order to achieve our common goal — two states that exist in peace and security with all its neighbors," Lavrov stated during a meeting with Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General Dore Gold.

The Russian Foreign Ministry urged the Israeli and Palestinian authorities on Monday to exercise restraint and deescalate the tensions in the region in order to preserve the possibility of a diplomatic resolution.

The call was made after reports emerged of at least 28 Palestinians receiving injures in al-Amari refugee camp near the West Bank city of Ramallah during clashes with the Israeli military.

Palestinians seek the recognition of their independent state, proclaimed in 1988, on the territories of West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government refuses to recognize Palestine as an independent political and diplomatic entity.