February 02, 2026 10:07 am (IST)
Follow us:
Ban urges focus on Middle East peace efforts
New York, May 2 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday appealed to Israelis and Palestinians to exercise prudence and avoid unilateral steps that would diminish the prospects of resuming negotiations after the latest downturn in the Middle East peace process.
“It is incumbent upon the parties to convince each other anew that they are partners for peace,” Ban urged in a statement from his spokesperson, calling also on the international community “to uphold its long-stated commitment” to realizing a comprehensive peace settlement.
He highlighted the Security Council debate on 29 April, stating “now is the time for the international community and the parties alike to reflect on how to preserve the prospects for a two-state solution”.
During that meeting, Robert Serry, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, warned the 15-member Council that the current “political stalemate” endangered what many see as perhaps the last chance to achieve the long-sought two-State solution.
Meanwhile, he said, the deadline expired for the nine-months of direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, held under the auspices of United States Secretary of State John Kerry.
The talks had been ongoing since last August, resumed after the previous series of talks ended in September 2010 when Israel refused to extend its freeze on settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory.
“The Secretary-General appeals to all concerned to use this time constructively to find a meaningful path forward,” his spokesperson noted.
[Demolished Palestinian structure in the West Bank (2012). Photo: IRIN/Shabtai Gold (file photo)]
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Epstein Files: Images show Prince Andrew crouching over woman, spark fresh embarrassment
Sun, Feb 01 2026
Burkina Faso’s military junta bans political parties: What triggered the move and what lies ahead
Sat, Jan 31 2026
Trump threatens 50% tariff on 'all Canadian aircraft', stoking fresh tensions with Ottawa
Fri, Jan 30 2026
EU labels Iran's Revolutionary Guards as 'terrorist organisation' amid deadly crackdown on protests
Fri, Jan 30 2026
EU set to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as terror organisation alongside Al Qaeda, Hamas
Thu, Jan 29 2026
Civilian train hit as Russian strikes leave 12 dead in Ukraine
Wed, Jan 28 2026