At Human Rights Film Festival Event, Secretary-General Calls Culture ‘Powerful Tool’ for Reaching Common Goals, Urges Israelis, Palestinians to End ‘Build-Destroy’ Cycle

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks, as delivered by Michael Møller, Acting Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, at the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights Special Event “War between Israel and Gaza:  What Chance for Peace?” today in Geneva:

I thank the organizers for convening this valuable International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights.  Culture is a powerful tool for raising awareness, advancing understanding and finding common ground to reach shared objectives.  Your gathering comes at the end of another deadly month in the Middle East amid the spectre of a further escalation that could damage both parties, as well as the prospects for a two-State solution.

I am deeply worried about the conditions in Gaza as we approach the six-month mark since the end of the last conflict, which raised serious questions about respect for the principles of distinction and proportionality.  Perpetrators of violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law — Palestinians and Israelis alike — must be held accountable and brought to justice.  Alleged violations must be addressed through independent, impartial, prompt, effective, thorough and transparent investigations.  I hope that the report of the Commission of Inquiry established by the Human Rights Council will contribute to this effort.

I have repeatedly warned that the status quo ante in Gaza is unacceptable and unsustainable.  The situation remains dire and volatile.  The ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian armed groups is fragile and intra-Palestinian reconciliation is a distant hope.  Donors have failed to honour their commitments, hindering reconstruction and humanitarian assistance while the blockade continues.  Living conditions are worsening as the economy and political process remain paralyzed.  Compromising access in Gaza to food and basic services hits the most vulnerable hardest, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, women and children.  It also undermines the interests of both parties.

The latest war has further entrenched mistrust between the Israelis and the Palestinians.  I reiterate my appeal to both parties to refrain from unilateral actions that could exacerbate the situation.  I condemn the firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel, which bring nothing but suffering.  At the same time, we must not lose sight of the root causes of the recent hostilities and tensions:  a nearly half-century-long occupation, the continued denial of Palestinian rights and the lack of tangible progress in peace negotiations.  We must get beyond the cycle of build-destroy, build-destroy, build-destroy, which has prevailed for too long.

The United Nations remains committed to helping to achieve a just and durable peace through the establishment of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine living side by side with Israel in peace and security.