UN Secretary-General calls to resolve Israel-Palestine conflict

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the acts of violence and attacks in Israel and Palestine in a message published on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People yesterday.

“This year’s observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People falls at a time when security and hope are at a low point. A wave of violence has included heinous attacks, stabbings, shootings and vehicular attacks causing immense suffering among Israeli and Palestinian families alike. Illegal settlement activities and settler-related violence have continued, along with punitive demolitions of Palestinian- owned homes and structures,” he said.

He added that the tensions related to the Holy Sites in the Old City of Jerusalem have introduced a troubling and dangerous religious dimension to the conflict. “I welcome Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s repeated assurances that Israel has no intention of changing the status quo; this commitment needs to be accompanied by actions to defuse the situation and restore confidence. It is crucial that leaders on both sides play a constructive role towards resolving the conflict. Both sides must reject incitement and inflammatory public statements,” he added.