12 January 2023

UN Secretary-General's comments to media after his meeting with the Permanent Representatives of the Extended Troika of the Arab Group

Question: Secretary-General do you have any comments after your meeting? 

Question: Will you speak more loudly and bluntly against the Israeli atrocities please? 

Secretary-General: I was invited by the of the Troika of the Arab [Group] to have this meeting and I had the occasion to reaffirm that we must preserve the status quo of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem and that it is essential to preserve the two-state solution to avoid any initiative that might put at risk the two-state solution. 

On the other hand, if it is clear that we condemn acts of terrorism, it is clear that we recognize the right of Israel to exist and to live in security, it is also necessary to say that the construction of settlements, the evictions, destruction of homes are creating an enormous anger and frustration not only of the Palestinian people but further afield. And on the other hand, that it is perfectly legitimate that the General Assembly of the United Nations seizes the opinion of courts in relation of matters of interest of the Member States of the General Assembly. 

Question: Secretary-General do you believe that the current Israeli Government believes in a two-State solution? 

Secretary-General: That is a question to be asked to the government itself. What I believe is that there is no plan B, that to reject the possibility of a two-state solution is something that would undermine forever the possibilities of peace in the Middle East.