New Delhi: Ahead of Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit, Palestine on September 5 asked India to take up with the premier the issue of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza strip and participate in an international team to monitor the implementation of the US-proposed 'road map' for resolving the West Asia imbroglio.

"We ask the government of India, its people, to ask him (Sharon) when he will end the Palestinian occupation and killing of hundreds of innocent Palestinian civilians," Palestinian Ambassador Osama Musa Ali Musa told reporters.

Hailing India as a "Palestine's staunch ally", the ambassador recalled that whenever a resolution on Middle East crisis came up in the United Nations, India had stood by Palestine.

Asked whether India inviting Sharon pointed to New Delhi's new tilt towards Israel, he said, "I don't think so. It is India's wish."

He said the 'road map' can never be realised till Israel stopped violence and an effective mechanism for implementation brought about with countries like India invited to the region as monitors.

Urging international community to exert pressure on Israel, he said peace is "never achievable till Israel ends occupation".

PTI