"The Palestinians need to unify if they hope to achieve a state, and Israel will enjoy greater security and prosperity when that state comes into existence, UN Secretary- General Antonio Guterres said to separate audiences on Wednesday.
Guterres, on the final day of his three-day visit here – his first as the UN head – crossed over to Gaza at the Erez crossing, where his convoy was met by protesting family members of prisoners in Israeli jails.
He then went to an UNRWA school in Beit Lahiya, where he issued an appeal for Palestinian unity, saying that the division between Ramallah and Gaza 'only undermines the cause of the Palestinian people.'
Guterres said his dream is of a day when there would be two states – Israel and Palestine – in the Holy Land. To pursue that end, he said, he has appealed for 'a credible political process, in order to address the problems that exist and to allow for the two-state solution to be implemented, removing the obstacles on the ground.'
At the same time, there needs to be a program of action to improve the living conditions of the Palestinians, he said. It is important to remove the closure on the Gaza Strip, and also important 'to avoid the buildup of the 'militantism' that can undermine the confidence between the two peoples.'
Guterres, who said he was 'deeply impressed by the suffering of the Gaza people in these tragic circumstances,' announced the 'immediate release of $4 million' to support UN activities inside the Strip..."