JERUSALEM: UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged Benjamin Netanyahu to take "courageous steps" toward peace as he met the Israeli premier on what is expected to be his farewell visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Ban also condemned a recent wave of Palestinian attacks, which he called "terrorism", and criticised the Israeli blockade against the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
In a statement alongside Netanyahu at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, Ban called for efforts to keep the possibility of a two-state solution alive.
While acknowledging the threats facing Israel, Ban said "we must not allow difficulties to become excuses for inaction".
"I encourage you to take the courageous steps necessary to prevent a one-state reality or perpetual conflict that is incompatible with realising the national aspirations of the Israelis and Palestinian people," he said.
"We cannot ignore key underlying causes of violence: growing Palestinian anger, the paralysis of the peace process, the nearly a half-century of occupation," he added.
Israeli settlement building in the occupied West Bank along with the lack of any progress in peace efforts have helped feed a wave of Palestinian knife, gun and car-ramming attacks since October, many analysts say.
"Stabbings, vehicle rammings and shootings have only one name: terrorism," said Ban.
"Incitement to such acts and glorification of their perpetrators are unacceptable and must be stopped," he added.
Violence has declined in recent weeks, though attacks continue to occur, including a shooting spree at a Tel Aviv cafe on June 8 that killed four Israelis.
- 'Political horizon' needed -
Ban specifically mentioned the Tel Aviv, but said security measures would not be enough.
"You need a political horizon," he said. "You need a leadership that is committed to peace and a just and a lasting solution."
Despite Ban's comments, the meeting with Netanyahu appeared friendly, with both men thanking each other. It was Ban's 11th visit as secretary general, expected to be his last before leaving office at the end of the year.
Netanyahu called for an end to what he referred to as bias at the United Nations toward Israel, citing repeated condemnations of his country.
Israel, said Netanyahu, "does more to promote and protect human rights and liberal values than any other in the blood-soaked Middle East."
Earlier in the day Ban visited the Gaza Strip and said the blockade of the Palestinian territory "suffocates its people, stifles its economy and impedes reconstruction efforts."
"It is a collective punishment for which there must be accountability," he said at one of dozens of UN schools in the enclave for Palestinian refugees, who account for some 75 percent of Gaza's 1.9 million population.
"Today, some 70 percent of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance, and over half of Gaza's youth have little to no job prospects or horizons of hope," he said.
Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip have fought three wars since 2008, and Israel says the blockade is needed to keep out materials that could be used for military purposes.
Gaza's border with Egypt has also remained largely closed.
While Turkey will be allowed to deliver aid to Gazans under a reconciliation deal reached with Israel at the weekend, Netanyahu has said the maritime blockade will remain.
Ban is to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas later Tuesday in Ramallah.
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