HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPOKESPERSON’S NOON BRIEFING

BY MARTIN NESIRKY,

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL

WEDNESDAY,  20 FEBRUARY 2013

SECRETARY-GENERAL DISCUSSES WITH ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER NEED FOR RESUMPTION OF PEACE NEGOTIATIONS 

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  • On Monday evening, the Secretary-General had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In that call, they discussed the need for a resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. They also discussed the situation in the region more generally, in particular the impact of the Syrian conflict, including Israel's security concerns in this regard.
  • The Secretary-General stressed that it is urgent for Israelis and Palestinians to reengage in a serious peace effort with effective international support, and to create a conducive environment to that end. The Secretary-General also raised the deteriorating health condition of the Palestinian hunger strikers in Israeli custody, highlighting the need for an urgent solution.
  • A statement was also issued on Tuesday expressing the Secretary-General’s concerns about the rapidly deteriorating condition of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.

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