Ban Ki-moon makes surprise visit to stop violence between Israel and Palestine
Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) – In a surprise move, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Israel this morning in an attempt to ease tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and break the cycle of violence that has set fire to the region. In less than two, weeks what has been dubbed the ‘stabbing intifada’ has already claimed almost 50 victims.
Today the UN chief is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. Tomorrow, he is expected to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Prior to the visit, Ban issued a video message late Monday, appealing to both sides to stop the fighting, saying that he was “dismayed as we all should be when I see young people, children, picking up weapons and seeking to kill.”
Acknowledging Palestinians’ frustration, he went on to say that violence would only harm their “legitimate aspirations for statehood” and “the longing of Israelis for security”.
He warned that "walls, checkpoints, harsh responses by the security forces and house demolitions cannot sustain the peace and safety”.
In the meantime, violence continues. The latest incident occurred this morning in Hebron, West Bank. A lorry hit an Israeli man after he got out of his car when it was hit by stones thrown by Palestinians. The driver who hit him is said to have fled the scene.
Another stabbing attack occurred this morning in the West Bank when an Israeli soldier wounded and the assailant killed.
The number of Israeli victims now stands at eight against more than 40 Palestinians dead, including those who stabbed Israeli soldiers and civilians.
In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities initially decided to set a barrier to separate the Palestinian neighbourhood of Jabal Mukaber from the Israeli settlement of Armon Hanatziv. The plan was later shelved.
More clashes broke over night after IDF soldiers demolished the Hebron home of Maher Al-Hashalmoun, a Palestinian who a year ago ran down an Israeli woman with his car and then stabbed her to death. Israel’s Supreme Court had authorised the demolition after dismissing the family’s appeal against the order.
This morning, Israel also arrested Hassan Yousef, a top Hamas political and spiritual leader in the West Bank. Israel’s Israel Security Agency, the Shin Bet, raided Youself’s home in Beitunia (Bitunya), south-east of Ramallah, and took him into custody.
Palestinians accuse Israel of seeking to change the "status quo" in the Old City of Jerusalem to allow Jews to pray at the Esplanade of the Mosques (also known as Temple Mount to Jews and the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly rejected the accusations, dismissing any demand for an “international presence” at the holy site, as suggested by France during a meeting of the UN Security Council.
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