Secretary-General’s meeting with Moshe Ya’alon, Minister of Defence of Israel – SG Office readout

READOUTS

Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Moshe Ya'alon, Minister of Defence of Israel

New York , 16 March 2016

The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Mr. Moshe Ya'alon, Minister of Defence of Israel. He stressed the need for both sides to restore a political horizon towards a peaceful two-state solution.

The Secretary-General underlined the need for substantial policy changes on the ground. He encouraged Israel to take significant steps, in line with the calls by the Middle East Quartet, that would strengthen Palestinian institutions, economic and security prospects, while respecting legitimate Israel's security concerns.

The Secretary-General also expressed his concern with the situation of two Israeli citizens who are held in Gaza, their families unable to gather any information on their well-being. He urged their swift release as well as the return of the body of missing Israeli soldiers, including Hadar Goldin, to their families in Israel.

http://www.un.org/sg/offthecuff/index.asp?nid=4420