NEW YORK, August 30, 2007, (WAFA)-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon confirmed on Thursday that the continued occupation of the Palestinian territory prolongs hardship and injustice for millions of Palestinians.

In his message to the United Nations International Conference of Civil Society in support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace(delivered by Angela Kane, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs), Ki-moon said "I am encouraged by recent international and regional efforts to get the Palestinians and the Israelis back on the negotiating track. The Arab Peace Initiative, Tony Blair's appointment as the Quartet Representative, and President Bush's decision to convene a Middle East Peace meeting all have the potential to result in a significant breakthrough."

"I particularly welcome the decision by Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas to meet regularly to discuss a range of issues. I hope that the internal challenges each faces will not deter them from moving forward with discussions on the political horizon."

He added that movement on the political front cannot obscure the dire humanitarian situation on the ground. The unsustainable division of the West Bank and Gaza Strip has grave humanitarian and political implications. Conditions in the Gaza Strip have become particularly acute; they demand the urgent reopening of border crossings for commercial and humanitarian deliveries. To alleviate this crisis, UNRWA and other UN Agencies are doing everything they can to support the affected populations. Their efforts, however, cannot compensate for the effect of the closed crossings.

"Today, I again encourage both parties to demonstrate a true commitment to peace through a negotiated two-State solution. Israel should cease settlement activity and the construction of the barrier, ease Palestinian movement and implement the Agreement on Movement and Access. Palestinians, for their part, need to make every effort to end violence by militant groups and make progress on building robust institutions."

The United Nations will continue to support international efforts aimed at bringing an end to the occupation, and achieving a two-State solution. This work is not easy, but it would prove close to impossible without the active participation and support of innumerable civil society groups and individuals in Israel, in the occupied Palestinian territory, and around the world, he added.

Ki-moon concluded that working together, we can achieve our goal: a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement, based on Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 1397, 1515 and the principle of land for peace.