Marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which coincides on November 29 of every year, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that Israeli violations of Palestinian human rights, settlements erode chances of peace.

“On this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory -- including East Jerusalem -- continues to pose a significant challenge to international peace and security. Persistent violations of the rights of Palestinians along with the expansion of settlements risk eroding the prospect of a two-State solution,” he said in a statement on this occasion.

“The overall goal remains two states living side-by-side in peace and security, fulfilling the legitimate national aspirations of both peoples, with borders based on the 1967 lines and Jerusalem as the capital of both states,” said the UN chief.

He called on all the parties “to avoid unilateral steps that would undermine the chances for a peaceful resolution of the conflict based on international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. I further call on the parties to engage constructively to end the closure of Gaza and improve the living conditions of all Palestinians under occupation.”

Guterres added, “Together, let us reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the Palestinian people in their quest to achieve their inalienable rights and build a future of peace, justice, security, and dignity for both Palestinians and Israelis.”

He called on UN Member States “to provide timely and predictable funding” to allow the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, to conduct its vital work.

In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (resolution 32/40 B). On that day, in 1947, the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine (resolution 181 (II)), which led to the dispersion and loss of home of the Palestinian people after Palestine became Israel.