SG/SM/17186

Secretary-General, Concerned Surge of Recent Attacks Signals ‘Dangerous Slide’ towards Escalation, Urges Palestinian, Israeli Leaders to Maintain Calm

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the attacks on 3 October in the Old City of Jerusalem, including the killing of two members of an Israeli family and injuries to Israelis and Palestinians in subsequent incidents in various neighbourhoods in Jerusalem.

Recalling the recent deadly attack on another Israeli family in the occupied West Bank, and in light of the wave of extremism and violence sweeping the region, the Secretary-General is deeply concerned that these latest incidents signal a dangerous slide towards escalation.

The Secretary-General is deeply troubled by statements from Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas, praising such heinous attacks.  He urges all leaders to condemn violence and incitement, maintain calm and to do everything they can to avoid further escalation.

The Secretary-General firmly believes that a just and lasting solution to the conflict can be achieved only through pursuing a negotiated two-State solution.  The United Nations stands ready to work with all parties to create the conditions on the ground, in the region and internationally to make meaningful negotiations possible.

For information media. Not an official record.