UN Chief Sides With Palestinians: ‘All Israeli Settlements Are Contrary to International Law & Prejudice’
- Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:37pm by
Billy Hallowell
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U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (AP)
RAMALLAH, West Bank (The Blaze/AP) — Israel must halt settlement building and present detailed proposals for a border with a future Palestinian state, visiting U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday, as he tried to persuade the Palestinians to continue low-level meetings with Israel that the international community hopes will evolve into serious negotiations.
Ban praised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for his leadership and publicly backed him on key issues, including the demand for a freeze of settlement building on occupied lands the Palestinians want for their state.
With Abbas by his side, the U.N. chief affirmed that “all Israeli settlements are contrary to international law and prejudice” the outcome of a final peace deal.
At the same time, Ban urged the Palestinian leader not to let the current peace efforts lose momentum. The dialogue on borders and security arrangements began last month at the urging of the Quartet of Mideast mediators – the U.S., U.N., EU and Russia – which asked both sides to submit detailed proposals. The Quartet has said it wants a final deal by the end of the year.
Israel's President Shimon Peres, right, and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, second left, sit for breakfast together with aides at a Jerusalem hotel, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Ban Ki-moon is visiting the region in an effort to restart talks between Israel and the Palestinians. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, POOL)
Abbas has said the Jordanian-mediated exploratory meetings in Amman have run their course, but that he’ll decide after consultations with the Arab League next week whether to resume them. “I don’t like the word `closing the door to negotiations.’” Abbas said Wednesday. “Israel did not present encouraging offers in the Amman talks, but if it does, we will be ready (to resume talks).”
Earlier Wednesday, Ban met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has rejected Palestinian demands for a settlement freeze ahead of any full-fledged negotiations, arguing that this is an unacceptable precondition.
Israel has said it wants to continue the exploratory talks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
“We are at a critical moment for Israel and the region,” Ban said after his talks with Netanyahu. “I remain hopeful that the direct, frequent exchanges between the parties with continue.”
Formal peace talks have stalled for more than three years, in large part over the settlement issue. The Palestinians say there is no point in negotiating as long as Israel continues to settle its population in the West Bank and east Jerusalem – areas that the Palestinians want for their future state, along with the Gaza Strip.
Some 500,000 Israelis now live in these areas, and this week Netanyahu’s government approved new financial incentives meant to lure more Israelis to the West Bank.
Continued settlement “does not help the ongoing peace process,” Ban said. “They should refrain from further settlement for the sake of ongoing peace talks. This can be a way of expressing goodwill gestures.”
Netanyahu appeared to rebuff Ban’s request, saying the question of settlements “should be part of the final peace talks and final peace agreements.” Later Wednesday, Netanyahu spoke by phone to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. “Israel is interested in continuing talks with the Palestinians while maintaining security for Israel’s citizens,” Netanyahu told Clinton, according to his office.
Palestinian Mahmoud Abbas. (Photo: AP)
Ban, meanwhile, appeared to take the Israelis to task for not having submitted detailed proposals on borders and security yet, as requested by the Quartet. The Palestinians say they have presented four-page papers on each issue, while Israel presented only general principles for border talks last week
Ban said he noted “with appreciation that the Palestinian Authority is forthcoming in presenting concrete proposals for territory and security, as called for by the Quartet,“ adding that he hopes ”that now Israel will present its proposals.”
Palestinian officials have said the Israeli principles mean, in effect, that Israel wants to keep east Jerusalem and large chunks of the West Bank. Any proposal that leaves all of east Jerusalem under Israeli control is likely to be rejected by any Palestinian leader.
Responding to Ban’s comments, Netanyahu said he recognizes “there has to be an agreement, probably a painful agreement for us given our passion for these historic lands.“ But he complained that ”the real cause of this conflict” is the Palestinians refusal to recognize Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people.
Israel has also accused the state-run Palestinian media of broadcasting hatred and incitement against Israel and Jews. Asked about the alleged incitement, Ban said: “Hate speeches or provocations, they are not helpful, they are not acceptable.”
As part of his West Bank visit, Ban toured the site of the first planned Palestinian city in the West Bank. Construction of the new city, called Rawabi, has been slowed by Israeli security concerns about a planned access road. However, developers said they now have Israeli permission for paving a road for construction vehicles and that they hope to complete the project by 2013.
Ban said he visited the project to encourage sustainable development.
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Comments (125)
RagingJudge
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:23pmPM Netanyahu has got to have the toughest job in the world, and God bless him for his strong constitution. Not one step back.
The UN needs to cease to exist. These other countries have no right to tell Israel what to do with Palestine, especially since the UN forced the creation of Israel in the first place. It was better before when the Jews were legally buying land in the Promised Land.
Screw the UN, lets get out and get THEM out.
Report Post »alinga
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:50pmIf the Secretary would just go into the files of the League of Nations, they should be around there somewhere, and look up the 1919 agreement concerning the British Mandate as referenced in the Balfour agreement. Isreal has all the authority it needs to eliminate all of Jordan, all of lebanon ,half of Syria,and there would not even be a hint of Palestine or any reference to it. Secretary Moon-bat is representing what is wrong in this whole debate. Many posters here are right, leave the UN now and assist only in their removal from North America.
Report Post »SacKings2312
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:54pmEven though the U.N. are the ones that made Israel possible in the first place genius??? You’re all so hypocritical!!!
Report Post »Greg
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 6:29pmI agree that Netanyahu has one of the toughest jobs on the face of the earth. I hope that he, and the rest of the Jewish people understand that myself, my family, and friends have their backs.
Report Post »Anamah
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 7:11pmYou are so right! The UN is a disgraceful institution a net of hypocrite bureaucracy and international corruption. It seems Islamic have too much weight on the discussion table… Shame on you Ban Ki Moon as for the former Sec.!!! Is easy to understand how the Sorros bug can drive us toward destruction.
Report Post »boundforglory
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 9:08pmGod gave that land to Israel 3500 years ago, the UN had nothing to do with it. God gave it to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob whose name God changed to Israel. There has never been a people called palistinians, ever, they are arabs. Jesus is coming back very soon and when He does this world will know who that lands belongs to. God said to Abraham: I will bless those that bless you and I will curse those that curse you, and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed. Genesis 12:3. Israel has blessed this world over and over, who do you think invented the cell phone, the microprosseser in your computer, Israel did! The terrorists in gaza have been trying to eliminate the Jewish people for years, once iran gets a nuke, they will use it on Israel then hit the USA with them. These so-called palistinians need to get out of and off of Israeli land!
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on February 2, 2012 at 1:31am“Screw the UN, lets get out and get THEM out.”
==================================
Amen!
I will cheer the day we Bulldoze the UN building into the East river in NYC. But i’m afraid I will be dead by then. By many many many years.
Report Post »Chuckyarla
Posted on February 2, 2012 at 5:44amYou people are all insane.The unfortunate fact is that you will not be happy till we are at still another war for Israel.Let them buggers fight for themselves. Though I cannot blame them for getting a sucker nation like this to not only give the blood of her sons but then in fact to pay for the privilege. All I can say is there is one born every minuite. So party on Dudes, Sincerely Chuckyarla
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on February 2, 2012 at 6:16amWhy do we allow them to be called “settlements” when they are simply new construction on Israeli land? Israel was attacked, and won. To the winner goes the spoils. That is how war works. Don’t want to risk losing your land? Don’t start a war! It’s that simple.
Report Post »If the so-called “palestinians” had won the war, they would have kept the land. But since they lost, they want it back?? Not only that, but they still have an official goal of ELIMINATING ISRAEL ENTIRELY!!
So, I say, “BUILD, BABY, BUILD !”
mkmrlw
Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:29amChuckyarla- You need to step away from the DNC puchbowl and stop drinking their koolaid. You are about as ill-informed on the subject of Israel as “Moochie” Obama is in weight loss programs. You have no original thoughts of your own so you spout off the typical fascist left wing crap. IT was your beloved UN that partitioned Israel back into existence after WWII, Egypt and Jordan were to house the Palestinians who were then nothing more than nomads. If I understand what you are(not) saying it’s this: Israel has no right to build homes(the politically incorrect way to say settlements) within its own borders because of,…why? That’s like telling the people of the United States that we can no longer build homes in Texas, Arizona, California and elsewhere because there are illegals wanting to live there. I don‘t know where you’ve got your head buried, but I‘m pretty sure you’ll need some air freshener. Educate yourself.
Report Post »Vickie Dhaene
Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:31pmSadly the Bible says that there will be one global government. I don’t believe that anything will be done to stop the U>N>
Report Post »It is also stated in the Bible that Israel will protected forever.
ShirouZhiwu
Posted on February 2, 2012 at 10:42pmThe UN has been nothing but the mouthpiece of every dictator that can buy a seat for years.
Report Post »Mrtoohappy
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:19pmI wonder what that breakfast cost. And we are playing for it. The UN is a waste of time and our tax dollars.
Report Post »alinga
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:52pmI hope that an Independent Florist did the flowers..
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:19pm“At the same time, Ban urged the Palestinian leader not to let the current peace efforts lose momentum.” What, did I miss some big breakthrough? Did the Palestinians give up their rockets go to the border and sing a chorus of Kumbayah? We ain‘t giving up Colorado or New Mexico and I don’t expect the Israelis to give up any more land. Perhaps the ever optimistic Ban Ki Moon can convince the Jordanians, Lebanese and Syrians to create a homeland for their Arab brothers.
Report Post »tzion
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:26pmTell me about it. If the momentum was any worse it be going backwa…wait.
Report Post »georgiavietvet
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:16pmif i was isreal i would tell the u.n. to kiss my ass. the u.n. carries absolutely no weight and should be ignored………………………
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:21pmExactly, when Iran gives up it’s nuclear program and North Korea hands over theirs and Assad hands over Syria and pigs fly out of my ass.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:11pm.
Report Post »Israel needs to line up it’s Big Artillery Pieces at the border, give the good Muslims 24hrs to get out, then LEVEL the West Bank & Gaza……..War is gonna come. May as well Strike First and Hard, and don’t stop till they bend over with a White Flag in one hand, and a tube of KY in the other. Don’t go playing at WAR anymore.
Bordom_Is_For_Humans
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:09pmThen Israel can be marked as a Terrorist Organization.
Report Post »disenlightened
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:06pmUS out of UN
Report Post »UN out of US
vtrader
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:33pmenough said!
Report Post »fixer
Posted on February 2, 2012 at 9:02amI stand with Israel. Screw the UN!!!
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:03pm.
UN Chief Sides With Israel: ‘All Israeli Settlements Are Valid’ And The Palestinians Are Contrary to International Law & Prejudice Towards Others. So Thet Must Be Wiped Out’………
One Can Wish Can’t He?………………
Report Post »UBETHECHANGE
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:01pmGet the US out of the UN
Get the UN out of the US
I stand with Israel and their right to exist on their land, in their country!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:09pmAMEN and AMEN!
Report Post »no liberal
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:16pmyou got that right i hate u.n big time
Report Post »RagingJudge
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:26pmWord on the street is Ron Paul has a bill comin up to do just that. Get the US out of the UN and the UN out of the US.
Actually, they sent my father a survey asking his opinion on it.
Report Post »Gary S
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:00pmNo more arguing with these clowns. Time to tell them: ES and D!
Report Post »marcryan71
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:59pmWe are all witnessing the setting of the stage of End Time Prophecy. The world will be against the tiny nation of Israel, but God will prevail. There will be a “peace agreement” and the Jews will be allowed to build the 3rd Temple on the Temple Mount and share it with the Muslims. When that happens, you scoffers and doubters…reach out to God and seek Him. The time is short.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:32pmTime is short, very short. We are seeing it dailey and still people will scoff at God and the Bible.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:55pmPalestinian terrorists in Gaza fired eight rockets into southern Israel today.
Israel will have no choice but to act soon. God will be with Israel, it belongs to Him.
Report Post »Lord_Frostwind
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:13pmAttempting to intimidate your opponent with military force in order for them to meet your demands, in lieu of the fact that your opponent has vastly greater military power than you could ever hope to project.
The Palestinian bargaining posture is rather dubious.
Report Post »VermontPatriot
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:33pmIt’s time to park tanks on their houses again. I don’t have a lot of sympathy for terrorist peoples that teach their little children from the youngest of ages to hate, hate, and hate some more.
Report Post »tzion
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:55pmThis reminds me of something I heard about a month ago. Some news program said “The Palestinians are willing to sit down and negotiate without any preconditions…….IF Israel agrees to stop settlement building.” My family all laughed at the irony of that statement.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:54pmI wonder if Abbas lost that finger in an explosives class.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:55pmGosh…I’m speechless…a UN official finding against Israel? Did the Earth move off it’s axis?
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:04pmI believe he lost it trying to light his farts on fire, he shouldn’t have ate the burrito.
Report Post »tzion
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:06pmTechnically, the Earth’s axis is moving continuously. Sorry couldn’t resist.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:28pmFigure of speech TZION…couldn’t resist.
Report Post »LadyLibertykicksASS
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:52pmYou know, there’s more of US than there are of them.. I think it’s time to invite them all to a “Secret Squirrel’ meeting on some very remote Island, and sink it as soon as all of them arrive !!!!
Report Post »rowbigred26
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:52pmIt’s predicted that the UN will turn on Israel. At the time the US will have leadership who will go along with it. Here we are. Just remember, we know how it ends.
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:02pmHow the heart of the Lord does grieve for our hardness of heart!
The suffering of the world’s population is only just beginning. These are the birth pangs of the hour of darkness before Christ Jesus returns triumphant and in glory for all to see and bow.
Report Post »Nobar
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:52pmCan you say “All nations ally” any clearer? Scripture unfolding before our very eyes. A shame too, I’d have liked to live another 10 years.
Report Post »GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:56pmDo you believe in Jesus?…so, what are 10 years compared to 1000 along with Him here and then the eternity in The New Jerusalem?
Report Post »momrules
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:57pmMe too but I’m ready. I pray dailey for the ones who aren’t.
Report Post »GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:52pmHey Loon, what about the recognition of the State of Israel by The Invented People?
Report Post »Locked
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:51pmHere’s an idea… how about we let the two groups decide for themselves? Pull our support and aid out of both areas and say “Hey, it’s your problem, keep us out of it!” If the UN wants to do something, tell them “go ahead… but the US isn’t contributing one cent.”
They want to blow each other up (or rather, Israel wants to wipe out Palestinians)? The retaliation is on their heads. Palestinians want to keep delaying peace and demanding more land while their people launch rockets into Israel? Let them know that they won’t be getting any more support so their own genocide is their fault.
We need less international effort in the ME, and especially in Israel/Palestine. They’re big kids. Let them figure it out themselves.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:59pmBecause that’s not what will happen in the real world is it LOCKED? In the real world Hezbollah is poised to attack Israel from Lebanon. Hamas from Gaza and Egypt has essentially said…“come on in” to Hamas and Hezbollah also. Then you’ve got Iran funding and supplying both Hezbollah and Hamas. Syria even in it’s current state is still a gateway for weapons and funding to Hamas and Hezbollah from Iran. King Abdullah in Jordan is playing footsies with Abbas again. You tell me LOCKED..if we pulled out…would it really stablize the region? The truthful answer is “no”.
Report Post »TheObamanation
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:59pmLemme steal a quote from Netanyahu … Not Gonna Happen !
Report Post »marion
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 6:06pmIf you could build a wall and just the two go after each other, fine, but if we don’t hold our support, everyone else gets in there and then it would be an unfair fight no matter how tough the Israelis are. Something will happen that will upset the whole world, but I find it difficult to understand how the supposed Palestinians can be given permission to squat on Jewish land, and give demands to Israel.
Report Post »Melvin Spittle
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 6:29pmLocked, I take it you are a Ron Paul supporter as this is one of his most important talking points and is why he will never be elected. Trust me when I say that all of our enemies hope Paul would get elected so they can grow stronger without interference from us. Do you remember the history of our involvement in WWII? We did not get involved until late in the game. Japan took our non-involvement as a sign of weakness resulting in Pearl Harbor. I would much rather kill the enemy on their soil than they bring it to our shores. No matter how you look at it you have but a few options and the one I choose is a strong foreign policy to include investment in our military might. You cannot defend your way of life if all the thugs are armed yet you decide not to invest in your own defense.
Report Post »Drives Like Jehu
Posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:39amNeville Chamberlain would be soooooo proud.
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:51pmIt’s long past time for the UN to be tossed out of the U.S.
Report Post »And they can gladly take their co-conspirator, the Kenyan Catastrophy, with them.
It’s as if we have been taken over by space aliens….
let us prey
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:50pmSomeone should tell Hillary Rod Ham Clinton that our border needs some attention.
Report Post »islamhater
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:49pmIt’s time the U.N. was dismantled. Get us the hell out of there. They can stick their Agenda 21 where the sun don’t shine…
Report Post »Melvin Spittle
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:47pmWhat part of North Korea is Ban Ki Moon from?
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:46pmHe can go straight to hell. What else would we have expected from the UN.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:22pmand take the sorry sob we have sitting in the whitehouse with him.
Report Post »TheObamanation
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:45pmBan Ki Moon … what a maroon
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:42pmI’m shocked. No, really.
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