Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (L) welcomes UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres upon his arrival at the presidential compound in Jerusalem on August 28, 2017 (Photo: AFP)
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres held talks with Israeli leaders Monday on his first visit since taking office, making a forceful argument for a two-state solution with the Palestinians and speaking of his "dream" for peace.
Guterres also spoke of what he called obstacles to peace when meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including Israeli settlement building and the need for Palestinian leaders to condemn "terrorism".
"I dream that I will have the chance to see in the Holy Land two states able to live together in mutual recognition, but also in peace and security," Guterres said in remarks at Netanyahu's office.
He recalled past secret talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders at his office when he was Portugal's premier from 1995 to 2002, saying it had exposed him to the difficulties of the peace process.
Guterres spoke of improving economic and social conditions for Palestinians to provide them with a "dividend" and incentive for peace.
His meeting with Netanyahu was part of a three-day visit that ends Wednesday and came with the two-state solution, long the focus of international diplomacy, under threat.
Earlier Monday he met President Reuven Rivlin, and is due in Ramallah on Tuesday for talks with Palestinian prime minister Rami Hamdallah.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is in Turkey and not expected to meet Guterres during the trip.
Guterres will travel to the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, with UN officials calling for the 10-year-old Israel's blockade of the Palestinian coastal enclave to be lifted, citing deteriorating humanitarian conditions there.
Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, including Islamist movement Hamas which runs the territory, have fought three wars since 2008.
On Monday, Hamas's head in Gaza, Yahya al-Sinwar, said it had increased its military capabilities thanks to newly improved relations with Iran, but stressed it was not seeking war.
After arriving on Sunday evening, the UN chief met Jason Greenblatt, a top aide to US President Donald Trump charged with pursuing Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.
Greenblatt was part of a US delegation last week, including Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, that held talks with Netanyahu and Abbas. He remained in the region for further discussions.
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