United Nations: Maintaining that construction of a security wall by Israel in the occupied territories cannot be justified, India has asked Tel Aviv to consider humanitarian consequences of its action and stop going ahead with building of the barrier.

"While we understand the legitimate rights of states to self-defence, Israel's unilateral action cannot be justified," Indian delegate Saleem Iqbal Shervani, MP, told the 191-member United Nations General Assembly on October 20.

He also "strongly" deplored Israeli air strikes deep inside Syrian territory on October 5, describing them as "violation of the sovereignty of Syria's territorial integrity".

"Unfortunately, some recent acts of the government of Israel have not assisted the cause of peace," he said, participating in a debate on the two resolutions moved by the Palestinians seeking the UN's condemnation of Israel's action of building the wall and world body's opinion on its legality.

Shervani condemned the attack on a United States diplomatic convoy in Gaza recently, in which three Americans were killed and commended Palestinian authorities for their swift action in attempting to bring the suspects to book.

"We are confident that such actions would bear results all round," he said.

Shervani warned Israel that its insistence in continuing with the construction would be "widely interpreted as an attempt to predetermine the outcome of any final status negotiations" with Palestinians.

"Before proceeding any further with its plans, Israel must also consider the humanitarian consequences of its unilateral actions upon the affected Palestinians," he said.

After the debate, the Assembly postponed vote on two resolutions until at least October 21 evening, as the diplomats discussed the drafts to make them acceptable to maximum number of members, especially key players.

The construction of wall, Shervani said, would transgress Palestinian lands, annex agricultural areas, destroy dwellings and separate families.

"Such actions only increase the sense of despair and frustration among Palestinians and aggravate a situation already vitiated by the imposition of hardships and sufferings imposed by a regime of blockades and roadblocks," he said.

Expressing India's full support to the road map drawn by the quartet comprising the United States, Russia, European Union and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, he said the road to peace is often bumpy, but the ride must be endured in the interest of the peoples of the region and international peace and harmony.

The road map provides steps that Israelis and Palestinians must take to achieve the goal of two states living side by side in peace.

"We are convinced that the urgent need of the hour is for the parties concerned, the quartet and the international community to persevere forward. This is the most reasonable way out of the logjam," he added.

PTI