SPAIN AGREES ON NEED TO PREVENT ANTI-ISRAEL BIAS

UNCLAS MADRID 001114 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/WE, NEA/IPA, IO/UNP ANDREW MORRISON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNGA IS PA SP SUBJECT: SPAIN AGREES ON NEED TO PREVENT ANTI-ISRAEL BIAS IN UNGA RESOLUTIONS REF: STATE 118799 ¶1. MFA Deputy Director General, in response to reftel demarche, said that Spain agreed on the need to prevent anti-Israel bias in UNGA resolutions. Ucelay reiterated Spain's strong commitment to the MEPP, highlighting FM Moratinos' efforts, through his role as a special messenger or intermediary between parties, to prevent unhelpful actions. ¶2. Related to the MEPP, on November 18, the MFA issued a communiqu expressing its grave concern for Jerusalem municipal authorities, decision to construct 900 homes in a settlement outside the city, recalling that Spain and EU have made clear that such construction is contrary to international law. The GOS condemns any action that would prejudice the peace process and urges the parties to resume negotiations in an effort toward a two-state solution. CHACON