UN Chief denounces “50 years of Israeli Occupation” on Six Day War Anniversary.
New York, 11 Ramadan 14388/6 June 2017 (MINA) – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Monday the Israeli occupation has imposed a heavy humanitarian and development burden on the Palestinian people.
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This was reported by KUNA, citing a statement released marking 50 years since the start of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, which resulted in Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza and the Syrian Golan Heights and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and Syrians.
In his statement, the UN Chief noted that generation after generation of Palestinians who have been compelled to grow-up and live in ever more crowded refugee camps, many in abject poverty, and with little or no prospect of a better life for their children.
Guterres emphasized that the occupation has shaped the lives of both Palestinians and Israelis, and has fuelled “recurring cycles of violence and retribution.
“Its perpetuation is sending an unmistakable message to generations of Palestinians that their dream of statehood is destined to remain just that, a dream; and to Israelis that their desire for peace, security and regional recognition remains unattainable,” he added.
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Further, the UN official urged in his statement that ending the occupation that began in 1967 and achieving a negotiated two-state outcome is the only way to lay the foundations for enduring peace that meets Israeli security needs and Palestinian aspirations for statehood and sovereignty.
“It is the only way to achieve the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people,” he added.
The Secretary General reiterated that continued settlement construction and expansion; violence and incitement; and the illicit arms build-up and militant activity in Gaza risk creating a one-state reality that is incompatible with realizing the legitimate national and historic aspirations of both peoples.
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Both parties should return to direct negotiations
He called both parties to return to direct negotiations to resolve all final status issues on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, agreements and international law.
With resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he affirmed that it will remove a driver of violent extremism and terrorism in the Middle East and open the doors to cooperation, security, prosperity and human rights for all.
In 1947, on the basis of UN General Assembly Resolution 181, the world recognized the two-state solution and called for the emergence of “independent Arab and Jewish states.” In May 1948, the State of Israel was born, and almost seven decades later, the world still awaits the birth of an independent Palestinian state. (T/RS5/RS1)
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Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
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