UN chief calls on Israel, Palestine to return to negotiations

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called on Israel and Palestine to return to negotiations and to choose peace over "the death, destruction and suffering that has defined the conflict for far too long."

"The international community must do more to promote a return to negotiations that will end nearly half a century of occupation and allow two states, Israel and Palestine, to live side by side in security and peace," said Ban in a briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East.

"Both sides face difficult choices. But one choice stands above all: whether to choose peace or the death, destruction and suffering that has defined the conflict for far too long," said Ban.

"In the coming weeks, a new Israeli Government will be formed. I strongly urge the incoming Government to reaffirm Israel's commitment to the two-state solution and to take credible steps to foster an environment conducive to a return to meaningful negotiations, including a freeze of settlement activity," said Ban.

Gaza is mired in the crushing financial crisis in Gaza, public sector employees remain unpaid. The impact of the conflict and of extreme poverty on Palestinians in Gaza has been severe.

"I urge the international community to support a second humanitarian payment to Palestinian civil servants in Gaza as an integral part of the necessary and agreed crucial reforms," the secretary general said.

Despite the generosity of some donors, critical funding gaps threaten stability.

Humanitarian agencies are struggling to raise the 720 million U. S. dollars needed for temporary shelters for 100,000 internally displaced people. Without immediate funding, the World Food Programme will be forced to suspend its food assistance to 95,000 Palestinians in Gaza by July, according to Ban.

Violence continues in the West Bank, with clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians, along with the destruction of Palestinian-owned structures.

"Too many lives have been lost, too many families have been destroyed, too many livelihoods have been shattered, and too much distrust has been sown," Ban said, "ultimately, the parties themselves must demonstrate the commitment and courage necessary to chart a viable course towards a better future."