(MENAFN- QNA) The United Nations observed the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People as countries and UN officials called for a two-state solution and an end to hostilities, after a year marked with renewed conflict.
The annual celebration since 1978 was marked as part of the international year of solidarity with the Palestinians, which was designated last year by the UN General Assembly.
At an observance, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged both sides to de-escalate tensions, end the cycles of violence and find a way to lasting peace "before hope and time run out." "We, as the international community, must assume responsibility for what is a collective failure to advance a political solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Ban said.
Ban said that the General Assembly's declaration of 2014 as the year of solidarity came amid renewed hope that US-brokered negotiations could result in a breakthrough.
"Yet here we are - having passed through a somber, sad and sorry year for Palestinians, Israelis and all who seek peace," Ban said, citing the 50-day war in July and August in Gaza, in which almost 2,200 Palestinians and 70 Israelis were killed.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas thanked the member states participating in the event and called for continued support as the Palestinian Authority sought full membership at the UN and the establishment of a two-state solution.
"Despite all the challenges, hardships and setbacks, we continue to have faith and hope that a just peace can be achieved in our region, and that right must prevail," Abbas said.
Speaking at the General Assembly later in the day, Riyad Mansour, Palestinian ambassador to the UN, said the situation in Palestinian areas under Israeli occupation was "perilous." "The urgency of international action - to avert a complete destabilization and consequences of such an outcome and to salvage the prospects for peace - cannot be overstated," Mansour said.
Addressing the assembly, Ron Prosor, Israeli ambassador to the UN, blasted European leaders for supporting the Palestinians and called Sweden's decision to recognize the statehood of Palestine - becoming the first European Union country to do so - "nonsense." "When it comes to matters of security, Israel learned the hard way that we cannot rely on others - certainly not Europe," Prosor said.
The Palestinian Authority became a non-member observer state of the UN in 2012 following a General Assembly decision.
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