Netanyahu with Kock im' Uhn |
Earlier in the day, Moon condemned the current wave of Palestinian terror against Israel, but added that "it is human nature to react to occupation, which often serves as a potent incubator of hate and extremism."
"The secretary-general's remarks provide a tailwind for terror. There is no justification for terror. Those Palestinians who murder do not want to build a state, they want to destroy a state and they say this openly," Netanyahu said.
"They want to murder Jews for being Jews and they say this openly. They do not murder for peace and they do not murder for human rights," he added.
Netanyahu then attacked the United Nations in general.
"The United Nations long ago lost its neutrality and its moral force, and the secretary general's remarks do not improve its standing," Netanyahu said.
Moon, Speaking to the UN Security Council in a session on the current situation in the Middle East, Ban said that 2016 had started with "unacceptable levels of violence."
He said, however, that security measures alone could not stop the violence. "They cannot address the profound sense of alienation and despair driving some Palestinians – especially young people."
Ban called for equal justice for both Israelis and Palestinians alike who commit such crimes.
"Palestinian frustration is growing under the weight of a half century of occupation and the paralysis of the peace process. Some have taken me to task for pointing out this indisputable truth. Yet, as oppressed peoples have demonstrated throughout the ages, it is human nature to react to occupation, which often serves as a potent incubator of hate and extremism," he said.
The UN chief said that "Progress towards peace requires a freeze of Israel’s settlement enterprise."
"Continued settlement activities are an affront to the Palestinian people and to the international community. They rightly raise fundamental questions about Israel’s commitment to a two-state solution," he said.
He also addressed the situation in the Gaza Strip, condemning Hamas rocket fire, and warning that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains perilous. "I continue to strongly believe that conditions in Gaza pose a severe threat to long-term peace and security in the region."