Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu accuses UN chief Ban Ki-moon of 'encouraging terror'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reacted furiously after United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appeared to explain the recent attacks by Palestinians to Israel's occupation. Speaking after the third death of an Israeli in 10 days Netanyahu said Ban was encouraging terror.

The UN chief was speaking following a wave of violence across Israel and the Occupied Territories in which almost 200 people have died since October (2015), mostly Palestinians. Israel says most of the Palestinians who were killed were attacking Israelis. Three Israeli civilians have died in the last few days as a result of random attacks.

"Palestinian frustration is growing under the weight of a half century of occupation and the paralysis of the peace process," Ban told the UN Security Council. "As oppressed peoples have demonstrated throughout the ages, it is human nature to react to occupation, which often serves as a potent incubator of hate and extremism."

He also condemned Palestinians for the deaths. "Stabbings, vehicle attacks and shootings by Palestinians targeting Israeli civilians – all of which I condemn – and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, have continued to claim lives," he said.

Ban's comments came on the same day 23-year-old terror victim Shlomit Krigman was buried in Jerusalem. She had been stabbed by two Palestinians at a West Bank settlement. They were shot and killed.

"The secretary-general's remarks provide a tailwind for terrorism," said Netanyahu. "There is no justification for terrorism. Those Palestinians who murder do not want to build a state, they want to destroy a state and they say this openly."