UN statement on Palestine-Israel welcomed

China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, has registered his country's concern about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and urged the world to play a constructive role in promoting a solution.

"For some time now, Palestinian-Israeli relations have continued to be tense," Zhang told a Security Council briefing on the Middle East on Monday.

"Unilateral actions by Israel keep escalating, pushing the situation to the brink of spinning out of control. We note with concern that the violence in the West Bank has been intensifying. Search-and-arrest operations, settler violence and …clashes and attacks have continued to cause serious civilian casualties, including children.

"The solemnity and sanctity of Jerusalem's holy sites have been repeatedly violated, and the historic status quo has been frequently challenged. Provocative acts and inflammatory words of all kinds have continued to intensify conflict and confrontation."

Israel continues to advance its settlement activities, Zhang said, and this month it said it had decided to legalize nine outposts and plans to build 10,000 settlement units in the West Bank, drawing widespread condemnation.

Zhang cited media reports saying that on Sunday Israel promised it would suspend unilateral actions that would undermine the prospect of a two-state solution to the conflict.

"The vitality of a diplomatic promise depends on its implementation. Now it's definitely not the time to breathe a sigh of relief. The international community, including countries with major influence, should keep their attention, increase the level of commitment and play in earnest a constructive role to ensure that Israel does implement its promise on the ground."

After the promised suspension, "Israel should not conduct another round of unilateral activities", Zhang said. "Instead it should completely change its course and truly return to the right track of the two-state solution."

On Monday the Security Council adopted a statement calling for the de-escalation of tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. It also expressed concern regarding Israel's announcement that it would build more settlements, expand settlements and legalize settlement outposts.