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