Ban Ki-moon, the secretary-general of the United Nations, criticized Israel for building in the settlements and condemned “provocations” at holy sites in Jerusalem.
Ban met with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah on Monday in Ramallah. The West Bank meeting came a day after the Gaza rebuilding conference in Cairo.
In a statement issued by the United Nations, Ban said he would visit Gaza on Tuesday “to listen directly to the people of Gaza, survey the situation for myself.”
“While rebuilding is important, we must tackle the root causes of instability. We must give renewed attention to the West Bank,” Ban said in Ramallah. “I once again strongly condemn the continued settlement activity by Israel.”
He called on Israel and the Palestinians to “show courage” and continue engaging in the peace process.
“I am also deeply concerned by repeated provocations at the holy sites in Jerusalem. These only inflame tensions and must stop,” Ban said.
Earlier in the day, Israel Police quelled Arab rioters at the Al-Aksa Mosque on the Temple Mount and allowed Jewish visitors on the site for the first time in several days.
Later on Monday, Ban was scheduled to meet in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and separately with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.