NEW YORK, October 29, 2009 (WAFA)- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called upon both Israelis and Palestinians to start full, independent and credible domestic investigations into the three-week Gaza conflict, which ended early this year.
Speaking during his monthly press conference, Ban said he is waiting for the decision by the UN General Assembly on the Goldstone report that accuses Israel and Palestinian militants of war crimes in Gaza.
He said he is looking forward to the decision, by the 192-member General Assembly act upon.
He stated 'I understand the General Assembly president is going to hold a meeting on the report,' adding that he has talked with the president of the 64th General Assembly session, Ali Abdussalam Treki.
Earlier this month, the UN Human Rights Council endorsed a report by a panel headed by Richard Goldstone of South Africa. The Arab Group is requesting that the report will be debated in the General Assembly in early November, diplomats said here.
Meanwhile UN Secretary-General sent amessage to the Jerusalem International Forum, in Rabat, Morocco, delivered on his behalf by Robert H. Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestine Authority:
He wrote: “As we are constantly reminded, events in Jerusalem can undermine trust on the ground and be felt in distant lands. It is for this reason that we must ensure that the holy city becomes a true symbol of peace, bringing people together and marking a new, more positive era for the whole region.”
He stated: “The international community does not recognize Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem, which remains part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory subject to the terms of the Fourth Geneva Convention. If peace is to be achieved, the goal must be for Jerusalem to be the capital of two States living side-by-side in peace and security, with arrangements for the holy sites acceptable to all. This is the road to the fulfilment of both the vision of Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, and the yearning for peace of people from all over the world.”
He said: “I reiterate the repeated calls of the Quartet and the wider international community for Israel to freeze settlement activity, cease provocative and unilateral actions, and reopen Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem.”
“Today, access into East Jerusalem remains severely restricted by checkpoints, permits and the barrier, whose route is contrary to the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice. These measures separate families, limit Palestinian economic development and make it difficult for residents of the West Bank to access specialized medical facilities.” He noted “ The United Nations, which has a strong and visible presence in Jerusalem, continues to support through our programmes the health and education of the population and their economic, cultural and religious life, while urging the Israeli authorities to respect the organic relationship between East Jerusalem and the remainder of the West Bank.”
He concluded: “I ask all of you to support President [Mahmoud] Abbas, the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority in their efforts to achieve a negotiated solution to the conflict and to build the institutions of a Palestinian State. The United States continues its efforts in this regard, and all members of the Quartet are working to ensure that negotiations not only resume in an atmosphere conducive to their success, but are concluded expeditiously. The road ahead will not be easy, but only with the achievement of a two State solution, and a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace, will Jerusalem be fully restored to its rightful place as a symbol of sanctity, brotherhood and peace for the entire world.”
