The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon showed a “stunning lack of objectivity” in his recent remarks in Ramallah and Jerusalem, and earlier in Cairo.
Speaking during a visit to Ramallah with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, and in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- one day after a Cairo conference at which international donors pledged 5.4 billion dollars for rebuilding Gaza – the UN head strongly criticized Israel while failing to condemn any Palestinian violence or terrorism.
In particular, Ban Ki-moon criticized the Israeli settlement building and called for an end to what he called ‘’provocations’’ at Jerusalem’s Temple Mount which, have caused clashes in recent days.
In a press conference after meeting with Netanyahu, he said: “Turning to a subject I am very sorry to have to raise yet again – I am very concerned about the recent announcement of plans to advance settlements in east Jerusalem, which are in clear violation of international law. This does not send the right signal and I urge the government of Israel to reverse these activities.”
Earlier at the Gaza donors conference in Cairo, the Secretary General said: “We must not lose sight of the root causes of the recent hostilities: a restrictive occupation that has lasted almost half a century, the continued denial of Palestinian rights and the lack of tangible progress in peace negotiations.”
“Such a one-sided characterization of the ‘root causes’ undermines the Secretary General’s credibility as an unbiased observer,” said Foxman.
He added, “Mr. Ban’s failure to publicly call on Palestinians to reject violence, recognize Israel’s right to exist and avoid actions which might undermine the hope for reconciliation sends precisely the wrong message. It encourages Palestinian unilateral steps and conveys to Hamas there are no consequences for its murderous terrorism. ”
ADL also voiced concern about Ban’s failure to take a definitive stance against the Palestinians’ intentions of joining the International Criminal Court in The Hague.