Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    GENEVA, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution on Thursday demanding Israel halt its settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights in Syria.

    The resolution was passed by a vote of 46-1 during the 7th session of the UN Human Rights Council, which denounced Israel's decision on March 17 to build settlements in East Jerusalem and neighboring areas.

    The resolution said the Israeli settlement activities constituted grave violations of international law and the pledges made by Israel at the Annapolis Peace Conference in the United States last November.

    The Human Rights conference reaffirmed the legitimate rights of the Palestinians and the creation of a "viable, contiguous, sovereign and independent Palestinian state."

    It also called upon all UN member countries and associations to assist and support the Palestinians in the realization of their rights as early as possible.

    Thirteen resolutions including Human Rights protection and religious defamation were passed during the meeting.