UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today called on Israelis and Palestinians to promptly resume talks to overcome the daunting obstacles in the way of settling their conflict. "Permanent status issues, including Al-Quds, borders, refugees, security, settlements and water will be resolved only through negotiations," Ban said in a message to the UN meeting in support of Israeli-Palestinian peace being held in Qawra, Malta. "At this crucial juncture, Israel should refrain from taking steps, which have the potential to prejudge negotiations and create tensions," he said, citing the expansion of Jewish settlements in East Al-Quds and eviction of Palestinians from the area. His message to the Qawra meeting was read by UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco. The Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip inflicted "protracted suffering" on Palestinians, which is a source of great concern, Ban said. He described the blockade as "unacceptable and counter- productive" to development and reconstruction in the war-torn territory.
