Photo Credit: US Mission Photo by Eric Bridiers via Wikimedia
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres slammed Israel on Monday for what he called its “occupation of the Palestinian territory” on the 50th anniversary of the its defensive 1967 Six Day War.

In a statement released to media Monday night, Guterres referred to the “displacement” of hundreds of thousands of “Palestinians and Syrians” but focused on what he said was a heavy humanitarian and development burden on “the Palestinian people.”

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He spoke of the generation after generation of those who he said have been “compelled to grow up and live in ever more crowded refugee camps, many in abject poverty, and with little or no prospect of a better life for their children.”

Guterres made no mention of their own choices in the matter, the numerous rejections of peace proposals rejected by the Palestinian Authority leadership and the refusal by those living in camps who chose not to move out and make a better life for themselves elsewhere, including in the PA.

Here’s the rest of his statement, for the record:

“The occupation has shaped the lives of both Palestinians and Israelis. It has fueled recurring cycles of violence and retribution. Its perpetuation is sending an unmistakable message to generations of Palestinians that their dream of statehood is destined to remain just that, a dream; and to Israelis that their desire for peace, security and regional recognition remains unattainable.

“Ending the occupation that began in 1967 and achieving a negotiated two-state outcome is the only way to lay the foundations for enduring peace that meets Israeli security needs and Palestinian aspirations for statehood and sovereignty. It is the only way to achieve the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

“Now is not the time to give up on this goal. Continued settlement construction and expansion; violence and incitement; and the illicit arms build-up and militant activity in Gaza risk creating a one-state reality that is incompatible with realizing the legitimate national and historic aspirations of both peoples.

“Now is the time to return to direct negotiations to resolve all final status issues on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, agreements and international law.

“Now is the time to end the conflict by establishing an independent Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security with the State of Israel.

“Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will remove a driver of violent extremism and terrorism in the Middle East and open the doors to cooperation, security, prosperity and human rights for all.

“In 1947, on the basis of UN General Assembly Resolution 181, the world recognized the two-state solution and called for the emergence of “independent Arab and Jewish states”.

“On 14 May 1948, the State of Israel was born.

“Almost seven decades later, the world still awaits the birth of an independent Palestinian state.

“The Secretary-General reiterates his offer to work with all relevant stakeholders to support a genuine peace process.

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Hana Levi Julian is a Middle East news analyst with a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Southern Connecticut State University. A past columnist with The Jewish Press and senior editor at Arutz 7, Ms. Julian has written for Babble.com, Chabad.org and other media outlets, in addition to her years working in broadcast journalism.