Ban Ki-moon doubles down on Israel comments in New York Times

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the 26 ordinary of the African Union Summit in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016. AP Photo

UNITED NATIONS—United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called Israeli criticism of attacks on its settlement policy unsustainable in an editorial published Sunday by the New York Times, doubling down on comments earlier in the week that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said encouraged terrorism.

In the editorial, Ban reiterated many of his earlier comments, calling Israeli settlement activity “an affront to the Palestinian people,” adding that “it is human nature to resist occupation.” He also called for a freeze on settlement activity.

“Criticism of the United Nations—or attacks against me—comes with the territory. But when heartfelt concerns about shortsighted or morally damaging policies emanate from so many sources, including Israel’s closest friends, it cannot be sustainable to keep lashing out at every well-intentioned critic,” Ban wrote.

Ban wrote that he would always stand up for Israel’s right to exist, but added: “the time has come for Israelis, Palestinians and the international community to read the writing on the wall: The status quo is untenable. Keeping another people under indefinite occupation undermines the security and the future of both Israelis and Palestinians.”

Ban’s criticism was sparked by Israel’s recent approval of 150 new homes in settlements on the West Bank.

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