NAM opposed to colonial usurpation of Palestine: Analyst

A political analyst says the call by the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) for an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories is an objection to “colonial settler usurpation,” Press TV reports.

In a Wednesday interview, Ralph Schoenman, the author of the Hidden History of Zionism, described NAM’s condemnation of Israel’s occupation of Palestine as “a very fundamental issue.”

“The Non-Aligned Movement in opposing occupation of Palestinian land is essentially objecting to a colonial settler usurpation of the sovereign rights of the Palestinian people,” Schoenman said.

Palestinians are seeking to create an independent state on the territories of the West Bank, East al-Quds (Jerusalem), and the besieged Gaza Strip and are demanding that Israel withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories.

“The Non-Aligned Movement has embraced the right of the Palestinian people to an independent Palestine in all of the land of Palestine and for all those who have been driven out and who remain targeted across the Arab world,” the analyst added.

On April 29, Iranian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Gholam-Hossein Dehqani, whose country holds the rotating presidency of NAM, called for an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories at a UN Security Council session.

Dehqani slammed Tel Aviv’s land grab and expansionist policies, which continue unabated while the Palestinian people are denied their rights.

He added that Israeli crimes are the main obstacle to establishing peace and security in the whole region.