UN chief worried by planned Palestinian security cut with Israel
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern on Friday at a decision by Palestinian leaders in the West Bank to halt security coordination with Israel and called for the international community to push for a Middle East peace deal.
The Palestinian Central Council, whose votes are usually binding on the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, said on Thursday it made the decision because Israel had breached bilateral agreements, including withholding tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinians. "(Ban) urges both parties to exercise utmost restraint and reverse their unhelpful cycle of actions and counter-actions," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. "The Secretary-General repeats his call on Israel to resume the transfer of tax revenues legally due to the Palestinian Authority.".
