UN chief calls on Israel, PA to fight ‘extremism’
June 27, 2016UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Monday urged Israelis and Arabs not to prevent an escalation in violence in the region, as he arrived as part of a Middle East tour.
“Do not allow the extremism on either side to fuel the… conflict,” he said in remarks at Tel Aviv University.
“Palestinians and Israelis leaders must stand firm against violence, terror and incitement.”
The UN chief continued the theme at a meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem.
“Stabbings, bombings and shootings will not achieve anything because violence is never a solution,” he said.
The United Nations Secretary General is to hold talks with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, as part of a packed schedule in which he will also visit the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, as well as Judea and Samaria.
Calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state, Ban condemned the “occupation” for “undermining” regional peace.
“Nearly 50 years of occupation has had a devastating impact on Palestinian lives undermining the belief in a peaceful resolution to the conflict,” Ban said in Jerusalem. “It also has not brought security to the Israelis.”
“I firmly believe that a negotiated two-state solution remains the only viable option to prevent a perpetual conflict,” he added.
Netanyahu was originally expected to meet Ban on Monday but he was in Rome for talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry on stalled peace efforts with the Palestinian Authority.
That meeting came ahead of a report by the Quartet — the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia — on the negotiating process.
The review by the diplomatic contact group is expected to be critical of Israeli policies in Judea and Samaria.
“I encourage Israeli and Palestinian leaders to engage with the Quartet on its recommendations and on creating the conditions for the resumption of meaningful negotiations,” Ban said.
He kicked off his Middle East tour in Kuwait on Sunday.
On Tuesday he goes to Gaza to inspect a UN-run girls primary school, then on to Ramallah in for talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah.
AFP contributed to this report
Similar posts
-
Female Israeli Soldiers Who Defeated 100 Terrorists
December 6, 2023In the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, the valiant all-female unit of the Israeli Defense Force...
-
Dear World: I Don't Care
November 2, 2023By Avi Lewis I don’t care that you sympathize with Hamas I know you wouldn’t tolerate any of ...
-
Stand With Israel!
October 17, 2023Stand with Israel. Don't stand with the extreme terror organization Hamas. This is a war about huma...
-
Israel Thanks You For Your Support
October 13, 2023Israel extends its heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you, dear friends and supporters, f...
-
How Israel Benefits the United States
October 5, 2023The relationship between Israel and the United States has been a cornerstone of American foreign po...
-
How Israel Helps Its Arab Neighbors
September 27, 2023Introduction Israel, a country known for its rich history and complex geopolitical landscape, ha...
-
The Amazing Country of Israel
September 15, 2023Introduction Nestled in the heart of the Middle East, Israel is a nation with a remarkable histo...
-
Israel Safeguards The World From Terror Attacks
August 23, 2023Introduction In an era where terrorism poses a significant threat to global security, Israel sta...
