Ban Ki-moon flies to Israel and the West Bank amid spiralling violence



NEW YORK: -- Ban Ki-moon is expected in Israel and the West Bank for an unscheduled visit prompted by the month-long wave of violence in the region.

Ahead of his arrival, the UN Secretary General issued a video message calling for calm from both Israelis and Palestinians.

“The United Nations stands by you. We will continue to support all efforts to create the conditions for a return to meaningful negotiations. Le me be clear: violence will only undermine the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for statehood and the longing of Israelis for security.”

The Israeli position

Ensuring security is certainly top of the agenda for Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Israeli Prime Minister is under intense pressure.

Three recent polls suggest a large majority of Israeli citizens are unhappy with the way he is handling the current crisis:

“Mahmoud Abbas said the other day; ‘I welcome every drop of blood spilled in Jerusalem.’ Are these the words of a moderate? Who glorifies these killings? He has not condemned a single one of the thirty terrorist attacks on Israelis over the last month.” Mr Netanyahu told reporters.

Reaction from the Palestinian President

Mahmoud Abbas,in turn, says Israel has created a climate of despair and frustration among young Palestinians and put them under pressure.

The Palestinian President will address a special meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva at the end of October.

It has been called to discuss the current crisis.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015-10-21

Think it'd be difficult to not glorify the killings. If I'd have done 12 months in Palestine. Nevermind a lifetime of Israeli terror

"Le me be clear: violence will only undermine the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for statehood ....."

Hence the right wing of Israel provoking violence.

Israel should know better , what you do to others will surely come back to haunt you.