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Ban says Israelis, Palestinians Must Show Restraint

Amid abduction, increased violence, Ban says Israelis, Palestinians must show restraint

22 June 2014


Israeli soldiers search a Palestinian's car at the Hawera checkpoint outside the town of Nablus in the West Bank. Photo: IRIN/Kobi Wolf

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stressed the need to avoid an escalation of tensions in the wake of the recent abduction of three Israeli teenagers and the increased violence and mass arrests in the West Bank.

The three teenagers were abducted in the West Bank near the city of Hebron on 12 June. There are reports that since then, more than 200 Palestinians have been detained in the West Bank in the context of security operations by Israel.

In a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, Mr. Ban conveyed his sympathy for the abducted teenagers and deep solidarity with their families, according to aread-out of the conversation provided by the Secretary-General's spokesperson.

The United Nations chief also voiced concern over the increased violence, mass arrests, and restrictions on movement in the West Bank.

It was imperative, he said, for both political and security reasons, not to give in to provocations in a way that seems likely to escalate tensions further.

He expected all sides to exert efforts to this end, show restraint and to observe human rights standards and international law.

ENDS

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