FM Says Ban’s Comments Echo International Consensus on Palestinians’ Rights

Ramallah, 18 Rabiul Akhir 1437/28 January 2016 (MINA) – Palestinian Foreign Ministry Raid Al-Maliki on Wednesday commended United Nations’ Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon saying his statement reflects the international consensus on Palestinians’ legitimate rights.

The minister said in a press statement that Ban’s comments shed light on a growing Palestinian frustration of a half century of Israeli occupation, criticizing key Israeli policies of settlement construction and casting doubt over Israel’s commitment to the two-state solution.

Speaking at a day-long discussion of the Middle East conflict, Ban condemned the series of Palestinian attacks, but said Israeli security measures “alone will not stop the violence” and “cannot address the profound sense of alienation and despair driving some Palestinians – especially young people, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) quoted WAFA as reporting.

“As oppressed peoples have demonstrated throughout the ages, it is human nature to react to occupation, which often serves as a potent incubator of hate and extremism,” he added.

Highlighting the detrimental effects Israeli key policies have on the two-state solution, the UN’s top official said:
“So-called facts on the ground in the occupied West Bank are steadily chipping away the viability of a Palestinian state and the ability of Palestinian people to live in dignity.”

“Continued settlement activities are an affront to the Palestinian people and to the international community. They rightly raise fundamental questions about Israel’s commitment to a two-state solution,” he added. (T/R07/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)