UN chief: Israel occupation 'morally and politically unsustainable'

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Published 02:55 30.03.11

Latest update 02:55 30.03.11

UN chief: Israel occupation 'morally and politically unsustainable'

Ban Ki-moon calls on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to take advantage of

this 'crucial time' to move peace talks forward and realize the two-state

solution.

By Haaretz Service

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Israel Wednesday to halt

settlement building in the West Bank and put a stop to all forms of violence and

incitement, the UN News Center reported.

Speaking in Uruguay at the UN Latin American and Caribbean Meeting in support of

Middle East peace Ban said it was a " crucial time " for the Israeli-Palestinian

peace process.

" Time is of the essence in realizing the two-State solution, " Ban said, " the

occupation that started in 1967 is morally and politically unsustainable, and

must end. The Palestinians have a legitimate right to the establishment of an

independent and viable State of their own. "

" The target dates for reaching an Israeli-Palestinian agreement on permanent

status issues and completing the Palestinian Authority's two-year State-building

program are fast-approaching. Yet, the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations remain

at a worrying standstill. We must intensify efforts to break the deadlock, " he

added.

Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians hit a standstill in September

after Israel resumed building in the West Bank following a moratorium on

settlement building.

The secretary general continued, saying " actions that prejudge the outcome of

the process must stop, " referring to Israel's continued settlement building in

the West Bank and East Jerusalem , demolition of Palestinian homes and other

forms of violence and incitement.

Ban then commended the Palestinian Authority for its efforts, the UN News center

report said, praising the PA's efforts to establish state institutions, enforce

security in the West Bank and receive international funding and recognition of

its statehood goals.

The UN chief chastised Israel, the report said, calling on the government to

take the necessary steps to improve economic and security conditions for

Palestinians by removing obstacles to freedom of movement, stopping military

operations and enhancing the PA's scope of influence in the West Bank.

Ban also implored Israel to further ease its blockade in Gaza, the report said,

which has been under Hamas control since 2007. Israel has refused to negotiate

with Hamas, whose charter calls for Israel's destruction and is responsible for

numerous attacks perpetrated against Israel and its civilians.

In recent weeks, Hamas and the more moderate West Bank-based Fatah have been

engaging in preliminary talks, with the possibility of unification in the

future. Israel has made it clear that in the event that Fatah and Hamas join

forces, Israel will not be open to negotiations, and Fatah must choose its ally.

Ban reportedly condemned the recent escalation in rocket fire from Gaza to

Israel, calling on both sides to prevent civilian casualties and act in

conformity with international law, reiterating his " strong condemnation " of the

recent bombing in Jerusalem, in which a 59-year-old British tourist was killed

and over 30 wounded.

He stressed that " Israel has the right to live in peace and security within

internationally recognized and secure borders. " According to the report the

secretary general then said that both Palestinians and Israelis are entitled to

Jerusalem as its capital, with " arrangements for holy sites acceptable for all. "

The UN chief also said there " must be a just and agreed solution to the

prolonged plight of the Palestinian refugees, " an issue that has been highly

disputed in past peace negotiations.

The two-day meeting in Uruguay will discuss settlement expansion, Jerusalem and

the recent recognition of Palestinian statehood by governments in the region,

including Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, the report said.