UN chief: Palestinian reaction to occupation is ‘natural’

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday that the Palestinian react to the Israeli occupation is “natural” and that it is a result of their “frustration”, the Anadolu Agency reported.

While speaking to the UN Security Council, Ban asserted that “it is human nature to react to occupation, which often serves as a potent incubator of hate and extremism.”

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He continued: “Palestinian frustration is growing under the weight of a half century of occupation and the paralysis of the peace process.”

“Sadly, 2016 has begun much like 2015 ended – with unacceptable levels of violence and a polarised public discourse across the spectrum in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.”

Ban continued: “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.”

“Security measures alone will not stop the violence. They cannot address the profound sense of alienation and despair driving some Palestinians – especially young people.”

To deter violence, he suggested practicing legal punishment for criminals from either side – Israelis and Palestinians – calling for “the full force of law to be brought to bear on all those committing crimes – with a system of justice applied equally for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

“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.”