Mr. Ban Ki-moon, on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, urges both Israeli and Palestinian leaders to commit to a two-state solution. He emphasizes the need for a credible political path to meet the legitimate aspirations of both sides and calls for an immediate cessation of settlement activity by Israel. The violence in the region, which recently escalated, underscores the urgency of sustaining the ceasefire and resuming direct negotiations. Meanwhile, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova emphasizes the importance of dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation for building lasting peace, highlighting UNESCO’s support for education, culture, and freedom of expression in the Palestinian territories.
