Activities of Secretary-General in Israel, 19-21 October
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, having repeatedly expressed his anguish and deep concern at the escalating violence in Israel and Palestine, and in an effort to help defuse tensions, travelled from Slovakia to the Middle East region, on an unannounced visit, on Monday evening, 19 October.
In a video message issued before his arrival, the Secretary-General spoke directly to the peoples of Israel and Palestine about the dangerous escalation in violence across the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, especially in Jerusalem. He voiced his dismay at seeing young people, children, picking up weapons and seeking to kill. The Secretary-General told the Palestinian people and leadership that violence will only undermine the legitimate Palestinian aspirations for Statehood and the longing of Israelis for security. He said that Palestinians have the right to live a decent life in dignity, respect and freedom. But it can only be reached by establishing a Palestinian State living side by side in peace with Israel, not through the violent acts we have been witnessing. (See Press Release SG/SM/17248.)
The Secretary-General told the Israeli people and leadership that he appreciates their genuine concern about peace and security and also understands the anger many Israelis feel. But he said that walls, checkpoints, harsh responses by the security forces, and house demolitions cannot sustain the peace and safety that Israel needs and must have, adding that there is no so-called “security” solution.
He asked Palestinian and Israeli leaders alike to stand firm against terror, violence and incitement. He called on them to demonstrate in both words and deeds that the historic status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem would be preserved, and to reaffirm their commitment to end the occupation and pursue a two-State solution by making changes on the ground.
Shortly after his arrival in Israel on Tuesday afternoon, he met with Israeli President Reuben Rivlin in Jerusalem. At a press encounter after speaking with the President, Mr. Ban said his visit was intended to encourage and support all efforts to lower tensions and prevent the situation from spinning out of control.
That evening, Mr. Ban met in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In remarks to the press at the Prime Minister’s office prior to his meeting, the Secretary‑General said that attacks by individuals are not taking place in a vacuum. Over the past weeks, he said, he had been deeply troubled by statements from Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, praising such heinous attacks.
He also met that evening with Isaac Herzog, the leader of the opposition in the Knesset, and with the head of the Zionist Union and member of the Knesset, Tzipi Livni.
On Wednesday morning, the Secretary-General visited Hadassah Hospital ein Kerem, where he met with Karen Laken and Alon Tikarski, wife and doctor, respectively, of Richard Laken, a Jewish Israeli victim of a terror attack. Mr. Laken, 70, was stabbed in the heart on a bus on 13 October by two Palestinian attackers and remained in a coma at the time of the visit.
The Secretary-General then transferred to Ramallah by car.