Zakharova accuses Western “think tanks” of promoting “neocolonial” schemes for Palestine

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stated that structures funded by Western governments are once again promoting “dubious” options for the future of Palestinian territories.

The corresponding statement was published on the website of Russia’s foreign policy ministry.

According to Zakharova, a number of “think tanks” have recently begun proposing various “alternative schemes” for Palestine once again.

“In particular, these structures are reviving dubious options that envisage an association of Palestinian territories with neighboring Arab states,” the diplomat stressed.

Zakharova also stated that proponents of such “alternative concepts” ignore the will of the peoples of the region and hold neocolonial views.

The diplomat stressed that there is nothing new in these proposals: such ideas had already been put forward previously and were “decisively rejected” by both the Palestinian people and Arab countries. According to her, history has demonstrated the “complete failure” of such initiatives, which contradict international law on Palestinian settlement, including resolutions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the Madrid principles.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for Palestinian statehood not to be forgotten.