"The U.N. deputy secretary-general says the escalating Israeli-Palestinian crisis is a result of Israel's "stifling and humiliating occupation" of Palestinian territories for almost half a century and diminishing hopes for a viable Palestinian state.

He said the international community must understand Israeli fears about personal safety and concerns about what they believe are growing attempts at "delegitimization" of the country, but blamed the deteriorating situation mainly on Israel's occupation, illegal settlements and the lack of Palestinian jobs and greater control over their security and government." The AP