Ban Ki-moon calls for an end to Israeli occupation

The United Nations the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People held a special session in the General Assembly on Monday marking the anniversary of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which is held on November 29 every year.

In a statement to mark the occasion, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an end to the Israeli occupation, lifting the siege on Gaza and taking steps to ensure Israeli security as a way to resolving the conflict between the two sides.

Ban pointed out: “Much more must be done to protect civilians and abide by international human rights and humanitarian law.” Stressing: “On this day of solidarity, our hearts turn to the many Palestine refugees in Gaza and beyond”.

The secretary-general said that achieving stability in the region is tied to solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which “means lifting the closure on Gaza, ending the half-century occupation of Palestinian land and addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns”.

He also “denounced Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem”.

“On this International Day of Solidarity, I call on the parties to step back from the brink. The mindless cycle of destruction must end. The virtuous circle of peace must begin,” Ban said.