UN Secretary General Affirms Israel Must Stop Its Activities In The West Bank

Construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. (Wikimedia Commons/Troclaire)

JAKARTA - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the situation in the West Bank as "very worrying."

Speaking ahead of the UN DK meeting on the situation in Haiti at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States, Thursday, Secretary General Guterres said Israeli military operations, settlers' violence, demolition and discriminatory policies encourage evacuation and deepen vulnerability.

Secretary General Guterres said the expansion of settlements that continuously divide the community and cut off access to vital resources.

Highlighting Israel's approval to build thousands of new settlements in the E1 region, Secretary General Guterres said it would effectively separate the northern and southern West Banks, which are "an existential threat to a two-state solution" between Israel and Palestine.

"I repeat: Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have been established and are being defended by violating international law," he stressed, launching WAFA August 29.

"Israel must stop the action and comply with its obligations," he said.

Secretary General Guterres stressed that there is no military solution to this conflict.

"I once again call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza, and immediate and unconditional release of all hostages," he said.

"Villages of civilian population should not be used as a method of war. Civilians must be protected. Access to humanity must be free of obstacles," he said, ending with a request, "There is no more reason. There are no more obstacles. No more lies."