In Jerusalem and Gaza, Ban urges ‘courageous steps’ for lasting two-State solution
Following a meeting this morning in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the leader to take the “courageous steps” necessary for a negotiated two-State solution in order to bring lasting peace, security and dignity for the people of both Israel and Palestine.
“No solution to the conflict will be possible without the recognition that both Palestinians and Jews have an undeniable historic and religious connection to this land,” the Secretary-General said at a joint press conference with Mr. Netanyahu.
“No solution can come through violence, it must be based on mutual respect and the recognition of the legitimate aspirations of both peoples,” he added. “No solution can be imposed from the outside, it must be based on direct negotiations on the final status issues.”
Noting that he was proud that, during his term as Secretary-General, cooperation between Israel and the UN has deepened in a variety of fields, including the promotion of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mr. Ban said he is also pleased that Israel has been expanding its presence and role in the UN over the past 10 years.
Underlying causes of violence must be addressed
Lamenting that his previous visit to Jerusalem in October last year took place during the peak of the recent wave of violence, the UN chief highlighted that the frequency of terror attacks and clashes have decreased.
“Yet we must not mistake short-term quiet for a long-term solution. We must not allow difficulties to become excuses for inaction,” he emphasized, indicating that the risk of renewed violence remains high, while attacks, such as the deadly shooting in Tel Aviv earlier this month, continue.
The Secretary-General stressed that security measures alone will not be enough to resolve the underlying causes of the cycles of violence that Israelis and Palestinians have been struggling with. Instead, he pointed to hope, as well as leadership that is committed to peace and a lasting solution, as necessary requirements for achieving peace.
“We cannot ignore key underlying causes of violence: growing Palestinian anger, the paralysis of the peace process, and nearly a half century of occupation. [None] of these causes justify terror. They can only be resolved through bold political action,” the UN chief said.
Mr. Ban highlighted that during his nearly 10 years as Secretary-General, he was proud to say that he had always been a committed friend of Israel, having worked hard to show his sincere friendship for the country. He also noted that his conversations with Mr. Netanyahu had helped him understand Israel’s frustrations and fears.
“At the same time, Mr. Prime Minister, I encourage you to take the courageous steps necessary to prevent a one-state reality of perpetual conflict that is incompatible with realizing the national aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian people,” Mr. Ban said.
“The international community can and must support all of these efforts,” he added. “I pledge my full commitment. This may be my last year as Secretary-General, but I will work until the last minute of my mandate for peace, security and justice and dignity for the people of Israel and Palestine.”
Palestinian leaders must ‘take responsibility for reconciliation’
Earlier today, the Secretary-General travelled to Gaza, where he visited a school run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Speaking to the media following the visit, he reminded the international community of its “ongoing responsibility to act decisively for peace,” and urged Palestinian leaders to take responsibility for reconciliation.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon meeting with Gaza central school parliament. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Recalling his personal experience of seeing his own country, the Republic of Korea, recover from the devastation of war, Mr. Ban said he knew what it is like to live as a displaced person on the move with no home.
“And I know what the United Nations can do to help. I stand with the people of Gaza to say that the United Nations will always be with you,” he said. “They are enduring enormously difficult living conditions. The closure of Gaza suffocates its people, stifles its economy and impedes reconstruction efforts. It is a collective punishment for which there must be accountability.”
Noting that some 70 per cent of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance, the UN chief also highlighted that more than half of Gaza’s youth have little to no job prospects or horizons of hope.
“This situation cannot continue. It feeds anger and despair. It increases the danger of a new escalation of hostilities, which can only bring further suffering to the people of Gaza,” Mr. Ban said. “We need to speak openly of the challenges and the unacceptable difficulties that the people of Gaza face. Of the humiliation of the occupation and the closures, but also of the division between Gaza and the West Bank.”
“Palestine is one and until Gaza and the West Bank are united under a single, democratic and legitimate Palestinian government, based on the rule of law and the [Palestine Liberation Organization] PLO principles, Gaza’s prospects for full recovery will be limited,” he added.
Later in the day, the UN chief visited the West Bank where, in the city of Ramallah, he met with the President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas. At a joint press conference afterwards, the Secretary-General encouraged the Palestinian leadership to act effectively, particularly against incitement, in order to help rebuild trust.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon meeting with Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine in Ramallah, West Bank. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
“I am aware that many Palestinians question the feasibility of reaching a just and lasting peace with Israel,” Mr. Ban said. “They hear talk of peace, but they see violence. They still live a life of checkpoints, permits, blockades, demolitions and profound economic hardship.”
Yet, he stressed, “continuing violence, terrorism and incitement are incompatible with advancing a negotiated two-State solution.”
The Secretary-General highlighted that in his meetings with both President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu, he heard commitments to a negotiated peace.
“I reminded both of them that the time for action is long overdue and encouraged them to tangibly demonstrate this commitment and create the conditions for a return to meaningful negotiations,” Mr. Ban said, reiterating that a two-State solution is the only viable option for sustainable peace in the region.
The Secretary-General also recounted that during his visit to Gaza earlier in the day, he was profoundly moved by the resilience of the people there, despite the wars and hardships.
“Reconstruction is encouraging, but must be accelerated and scaled up,” Mr. Ban said, while also repeating a call to donors to fulfil their commitments.
He also stressed that long-term stability in Gaza cannot be achieved without reuniting Gaza and the West Bank under a single, democratic and legitimate Palestinian authority, based on PLO principles, or without a full lifting of the closures on the Gaza Strip in line with Security Council resolution 1860 (2009), while respecting Israel’s legitimate security concerns.
“I urge leaders in Gaza and the West Bank to deliver to the Palestinian people, at long last, an end to the issues that divide them, and a commitment to strengthening the ties that bind,” the Secretary-General concluded.