Ban Ki-moon calls Israelis and Palestinians to make peace

The United Nations today marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People with a challenge from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to both Israelis and Palestinians to show the statesmanship and political courage needed to reach peace.

?Soon after direct talks on final status began in September, they were undermined by the expiry of Israel?s commendable settlement moratorium,? Mr. Ban said in a message marking the Day.

The obligation remains on Israel to meet its responsibilities under international law and the Road Map to freeze settlement activity,? he added, referring to the internationally-endorsed peace plan that foresees two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.

?I challenge the two leaders to show statesmanship and political courage in reaching a historic peace,? he said.

General Assembly President Joseph Deiss also called on the parties to step up their efforts to engage each other in honest negotiations and overcome deadlocks.

?Violence and acts of terror must cease,? he said in his message. ?International law and UN resolutions must be respected and actions which could aggravate the situation and increase suspicion and mistrust must be stopped.?

He urged that everything be done to alleviate the daily suffering of the Palestinian people.

The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, Richard Falk, urged the UN and the international community to draft a new protocol declaring the prolonged occupation and refugee status imposed on the Palestinians over the past 43 years a crime against humanity.

In addition, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is presenting a photo exhibit entitled ?Summer Games in Gaza? at UN Headquarters in conjunction with the Day.