United Nations, January 24: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed Tuesday that a lasting end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only come through a two-state solution.
"Last week's clear and repeated rejection of the two-state solution at the highest levels of the Israeli government is unacceptable," he told a high-level open debate of the Security Council on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
The Israeli leadership's rejection of the two-state solution was despite the strongest appeals from even the friends of Israel, including those sitting around the table for the Security Council meeting, he noted.
"This refusal, and the denial of the right to statehood to the Palestinian people, would indefinitely prolong a conflict that has become a major threat to global peace and security. It would exacerbate polarization and embolden extremists everywhere," he warned.
The right of the Palestinian people to build their own fully independent state must be recognized by all. And any refusal to accept the two-state solution by any party must be firmly rejected, he said. "What is the alternative? How would a one-state solution look with such a large number of Palestinians inside without any real sense of freedom, rights and dignity? This would be inconceivable. The two-state solution is the only way to address the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians."
Israelis must see their legitimate needs for security materialized, and Palestinians must see their legitimate aspirations for a fully independent, viable and sovereign state realized, in line with UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements. Israel's occupation must end, said Guterres.
"The role of the international community is clear," he said. "We must unite to support Israelis and Palestinians to take determined actions to advance a meaningful peace process."
Over recent decades, the two-state solution has been traduced, undermined and left for dead many times. However, it remains the only way to achieve durable and equitable peace in Israel, in Palestine, and in the region. As the events of the past three months have shown, it is also the only way to avoid endless cycles of fear, hatred and violence. This terrible time for Israelis and Palestinians must spur both parties and the international community to act with courage and determination to achieve a just and lasting peace, he said.
Source: Xinhua