Pretoria - The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been unable to adopt a resolution that would have described as illegal, Israeli settlements in Palestine.
South Africa was in favour of the draft resolution Ambassador Baso Sangqu said on Friday.
"My delegation regrets that we were unable to adopt the draft resolution before us today. South Africa voted in favour of the draft resolution, as we join those that believe that illegal Israeli settlement activity has become an obstacle to moving the peace process forward," said Sangqu.
The ambassador said the continued illegitimate settlement changes the geographical make-up of Palestine. The Israeli settlements in Palestine's territory have been in place since the 60s.
"The continued illegitimate settlement has the potential to render impossible the desire to bring about a two - state solution; in line with the overwhelming call for the creation of a sovereign; independent; viable and contiguous Palestinian State; co - existing peacefully alongside the state of Israel on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its Capital."
He said the Council has an obligation to ensure that the peace process moves forward and a final settlement can be reached between the parties. This should be done through responding to obstacles such as illegal settlement and activity; which hampers the peace process and thus poses a threat to international peace and security.
"Despite the failure of this Council to act; the peace process has to move forward. The parties are still under an obligation to comply with their previous agreements and obligations in terms of the Quartet Road Map; which includes those on illegal settlements," said Ambassador Sangqu.
He called on Israel to immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian Territory; including East Jerusalem.
"It is imperative that the parties do not abandon the path of negotiations. We as the international community have an obligation to support the parties in their endeavour in reaching this goal."
