UN condemns terrorist attack in Jerusalem by a Palestinian

9 January 2017 - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the Security Council have denounced the terrorist attack by a Palestinian who reportedly rammed a truck into a group of Israeli soldiers in Jerusalem yesterday.

“The Secretary-General condemns the terrorist attack by a Palestinian assailant” and “conveys his condolences to the bereaved families and wishes a swift recovery to those who were injured,” said Mr. Guterres' spokesman in a statement issued today.

According to preliminary media reports, the attack killed four and injured 15.

“Violence and terror will not bring a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- quite the opposite,” the spokesman said in the statement.

“All those responsible for such acts must be brought to justice, condemned and disavowed. Their acts should not be allowed to deter from the need for a renewed commitment to dialogue,” he added.

In a press statement issued overnight, the Security Council “condemned in the strongest terms” the attack and “reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.”

“Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed,” the 15-member body reiterated in the statement, underlining the need for those responsible for this reprehensible act of terrorism to be held accountable.‎

The Council also reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law.

The Council expressed its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Israel and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.