SECRETARY-GENERAL ALARMED BY RENEWED VIOLENCE BETWEEN ISRAEL, PALESTINIANS,

URGES ALL TO REMAIN FOCUSED ON GOAL OF TWO-STATE SETTLEMENT

The following statement was issued on Saturday, 16 July, by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General views with alarm the renewed violence between Israel and the Palestinians in the past fortnight.

The recent suicide bombing in Netanya and rockets fired from Gaza killing innocent Israeli civilians are shocking and condemnable.  There is a pressing need to put a stop to such actions.  The recent move by the Palestinian Authority security forces to act to prevent them was a welcome development.

Israel has resumed forceful action in the face of the serious deterioration that has shattered the lull in violence of the past few months.  There should be no doubt about Israel’s legitimate right to self-defence, but it must be exercised proportionately and in conformity with international law.

The Secretary-General strongly believes that at this critical moment a glimmer of a better future with two States living side by side in peace still exists.  It is therefore essential that all committed to a negotiated settlement remain focused on this goal.

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