UN chief reaffirms harsh criticism of Israel

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has reaffirmed his harsh criticism of the Israeli regime over its failure to work toward resolving the conflict with the Palestinians.

“After nearly 50 years of occupation – after decades of waiting for the fulfillment of the Oslo promises – Palestinians are losing hope,” Ban told a UN committee on Palestinian rights on Wednesday.

He was referring to the Oslo Accords, a series of agreements signed by the Tel Aviv regime and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in the 1990s.

“Young people especially are losing hope. They are angered by the stifling policies of the occupation,” he said.

On Tuesday, the UN chief criticized Tel Aviv for expanding settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, describing it “an affront to the Palestinian people and to the international community.”

“Palestinian frustration is growing under the weight of a half-century of occupation and the paralysis of the peace process,” he said. 

He also expressed concern over plans by Tel Aviv to build over 150 new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and to confiscate 380 acres (154 hectares) of agricultural land in the Jordan Valley near the occupied West Bank city of Ariha ('Jericho').