Palestine’s foreign minister, Riyad al-Maliki, slammed the Israeli occupation during a speech in Venezuela before the Non-Aligned Movement.

Addressing the Non-Aligned Movement in a speech during the 17th summit of the movement in Venezuela, al-Maliki was critical of Israel for choosing occupation over peace, adding that the movement has been always strong and constant supporter of Palestine and its people.

“The Palestinian people have hopes for a future where they live in peace and freedom away from the occupation, colonialism and oppression, and the absence of justice,” the Palestinian Foreign Minister was quoted by Ma’an news agency as saying.

He added that Israel’s occupying forces have been targeting and killing Palestinian children in recent months merely for being Palestinians.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki speaks to Non-Aligned Movement in Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/3XAD6E8bAT

— Ramy Jabbar (@Ramdog1980) September 16, 2016

The minister highlighted the increasing settlement activity over the past few years and how Israel and extremist factions within the settler community have been destroying any chance of peace.

Israeli official data shows that illegal settlement construction in the West Bank has increased by 40 percent in the first half of 2016 compared to the previous six months, Israeli organization Peace Now revealed Wednesday.

Al-Maliki further urged members of the NAM movement as well as the international community to respond to their legal and moral responsibilities to end the occupation, reverse the settlement policies and take legal actions against those who commit crimes against Palestine that amount to war, and crimes against humanity.

He also called on the countries to boycott Israeli goods produced in the illegal settlements.

(Telesur, PC)