The G8 countries are calling for the immediate release of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, Italian news agency ANSA reported Thursday. The G8 also urged Israel to lift the blockade imposed on the Gaza and immediately open Gaza Strip crossings.
A statement released by the G8 also urged Israel and the Palestinians to ''quickly resume direct negotiations on all open questions, in line with the Roadmap, the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Madrid principles.
The statement also noted that ''a just, lasting and global peace in the Middle East remains crucial for the international community'' and reaffirmed its commitment to the two-state solution''
According to the ASNA report, the G8 welcome recent steps taken by both Israel and the Palestinians, and called on both sides to live up to previous obligations, ''including the clear rejection of violence, terrorism and instigation to terrorism and a complete freeze on settlement activities including their 'natural growth'
The G8 also urged Arab states to embark on a process of normalizing their relations with Israel and to provide political and economic support to the Palestinian Authority.
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