UN calls on Netanyahu to prove his commitment to two-state solution

The Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon called on the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to translate his words into action regarding his commitment to a two-state solution.

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, said in a speech before the Security Council on Wednesday, that the secretary-general welcomes Netanyahu’s commitment to a two-state solution, but he emphasises the need to translate words into action, and accordingly, to halt the Israeli settlement plans in the West Bank.

Feltman said that Ban has requested Israel, in the framework of strengthening trust, secure the “the legitimate movement of people and goods in and between Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.”

He noted that the situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails is worrying, adding that the Israeli draft resolution aimed at force feeding detainees on hunger strike, if passed, could be “in contravention of international standards.”

Last Sunday, the Israeli government approved, on a preliminary basis, a bill which authorises prison administrations to force feed prisoners on hunger strike, according to local Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

Regarding Freedom Flotilla III, Feltman said that Ban is following the case closely, and he believes that sending the fleet “will not help to address the dire situation in Gaza.” But he reiterated his calls on the Israeli government to lift the blockade that has been imposed on Gaza since 2007.