In Jerusalem, Ban meets with Israeli, US officials, reiterates call for Mid-East ceasefire

The Secretary-General met with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman and United States Secretary of State John Kerry.  Ban called for an immediate end to the clashes, which have killed over 600 Palestinians and 28 Israelis.

“First and foremost, I think the violence must stop now. We must immediately start dialogue and address all the root causes which have already been identified,”  Ban said toldPresident Peres stressing the need to once and for all establish long lasting peace.

“As Secretary-General of the United Nations, this is my third such urgent mission during the last five years. It really pains me to see such a violence still continuing periodically. That means we have to work even harder. That means we have collectively failed in bringing peace and security,”  Ban said.

The Secretary-General said the world is in solidarity with Israelis under rocket fire as well as with Palestinians in Gaza who are under massive assault. But there was no more time to waste. The death toll is rising by the hour.

“I know there is great fear in Israel. Rockets continue to threaten Israeli civilians and disrupt normal lives of normal people. I have repeatedly condemned it, and will continue to do so. I also know there is a deep pain, anguish and loss among Palestinians,”  Ban said.

More than 600 Palestinian have been killed in Gaza – and almost 3,000 have been injured – the vast majority of them civilians.

“I cannot and I will not be silent in the face of this tragedy. I mourn the loss of so many innocent lives in Gaza and I grieve with the families.”

Once a cease-fire is in place, the Secretary-General underscored the urgent need to address the underlying issues including an end to the occupation and the daily humiliation and anger that comes with it. There is still hope for political process and economic prosperity – a future of two states living side by side in peace and security.  Ban urged President Peres – who leaves office in August- to work closely with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

“I still believe that he is the best partner for Israelis so that both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and harmony,”  Ban said.

The Secretary-General also met with Israel’s Foreign Minister on Wednesdayand stressed the need to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. He stressed the importance of ensuring the unhindered freedom of movement for humanitarian actors and their operations.

Speaking to reporters after meeting his meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry,  Ban toldreporters that he appreciated Secretary Kerry’s intensive and dynamic engagement and that he will meet with  Kerry for a second time to continue to discuss brokering a peace deal.

“Together, we are now joining our forces and strength to make a ceasefire as soon as possible. But there are still some details which we have to make,”  Ban said.