"The unacceptable violence and incitement exacerbate mistrust between Palestinians and Israelis," she said, noting that intra-Palestinian reconciliation remains critical to restore hope for the future and a political horizon.

 

"We must strive for a future where Israel and Palestine thrive as states in which all are equally respected, and where civil society is able to play its constructive role," said Mohammed.

 

She pledged that the United Nations will continue to support Israelis and Palestinians on the road to peace by helping them to take the historic steps to achieve a solution of two states living side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders, "with Jerusalem as the capital of both."

 

The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People convened the two-day United Nations Forum on the Question of Palestine under the theme "70 Years after 1948 -- Lessons to Achieve a Sustainable Peace."

 

The forum has brought together Palestinian, Israeli and international experts, representatives of the diplomatic community and civil society for a constructive debate in support of collective efforts to launch credible negotiations, leading to a just resolution of all final status issues as part of a comprehensive settlement of the question of Palestine.