UN Secretary-General justifies terrorism of knives

"The Palestinian frustration is mounting because of the stalemate in the peace process," says today (Tuesday), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in relation to Palestinian terrorism.

During a discussion in the Security Council UN Secretary-General said that Israel is guilty of the wave of terrorism, "as were oppressed peoples throughout the ages, it is human nature to respond to occupation which often serves as an incubator for hatred and extremism.

"2016 began just as 2015 ended - with an unacceptable level of violence in Israel and the OPT. There were stabbings, overrides and shooting of Palestinians directed against Israeli civilians, all of which I condemn. Also, clashes between Palestinians and Israel's security forces continued to take lives".

But "Israel's security measures will not stop the escalation. They will not deal with the sense of desperation that drives the Palestinians, particularly young people. One should prosecute Israelis and Palestinians who transgress the law. But Israel must freeze settlement construction, since continued building raises serious questions to Israel's commitment to the solution of two countries".

Ban also condemned plans to build thousands of housing units in settlements and land confiscation. "These provocative measures are designed to extend the number of settlers and jeopardize any chance of political progress. I urge the government of Israel not to implement the decision to expropriate land north of Bethlehem for the construction of settlements. There is no place for incitement of the Palestinians and we will not tolerate non-recognition of Israel's right to exist."

Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, commented that "It is business as usual for the Council when it comes to terrorism in Israel, the Council has a hypocritical attitude toward Israel, for the last four months, since the wave of terrorism started in Israel, the Council accepted 12 resolutions against terrorism in the world and no decisions against Palestinian terror in Israel".

"The root of the last wave of terror is Palestinian incitement," said Danon, and as an example brought the recent killings made against the backdrop of Palestinian incitement. "There is payment of money to families of terrorists, they provide a title of heroes to terrorists who murder women and use toys as a means of propaganda, these are the workings of the Palestinian leadership and the Security Council must condemn them."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!