UN Chief on Palestinian Violence: Natural Reaction to Occupation
New York, 17 Rabiul Akhir 1437/27 January 2016 (MINA) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon claimed on Tuesday that Palestinian violence is the result of “frustration,” asserting that “it is human nature to react to occupation, which often serves as a potent incubator of hate and extremism.”
“Palestinian frustration is growing under the weight of a half century of occupation and the paralysis of the peace process,” Ban told a UN Security Council meeting on the Situation in the Middle East.
“Sadly, 2016 has begun much like 2015 ended – with unacceptable levels of violence and a polarized public discourse across the spectrum in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory,” he said.
“Stabbings, vehicle attacks, and shootings by Palestinians targeting Israeli civilians – all of which I condemn — and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, have continued to claim lives.”
Ban leveled harsh criticism at Israel for its policies in the West Bank. He claimed that “security measures alone will not stop the violence. They cannot address the profound sense of alienation and despair driving some Palestinians – especially young people.”
He called for “The full force of the law to be brought to bear on all those committing crimes – with a system of justice applied equally for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” and warned that “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.”
The UN chief claimed in his speech that Israel must change its policies particularly in Area C, and called to halt the demolition of Palestinian homes in those areas, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting ynetnews.com. .
“Approvals of master plans for Palestinian sectors of Area C would allow for much needed growth in these areas and prevent demolitions,” he said, adding that “progress towards peace requires a freeze of Israel’s settlement enterprise.”
He slammed continued settlement construction, calling it “an affort to the Palestinian people and to the international community,” and stressing that “They rightly raise fundamental questions about Israel’s commitment to a two-state solution.”
Ban went on to criticize Israeli plans to seize lands south of Jericho by declaring 370 acres in the area “state lands,” and urged the Israeli government to go back on the decision.
“These provocative acts are bound to increase the growth of settler populations, further heighten tensions and undermine any prospects for a political road ahead,” he said.
Ban also said he was “deeply troubled” by reports that the Israeli government had approved plans for more than 150 new homes in “illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.” (T/R07/R01)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
