Ban urged Israel and the Palestinians to take the necessary steps to enable Palestinian economic growth, calling on Israel to ease closures that cripple the economy and the Palestinian Authority to continue to improve security. “Increased freedom of movement in a context of improved security is vital to build a platform for peace,” the secretary-general said. Ban noted that over the past seven years, the social and economic situation in the Palestinian territories had declined dramatically, with poverty and unemployment increasing alarmingly. “I have made no secret of my concern for the 1.4 million people of Gaza who today are living under the most abhorrent conditions. With few exceptions, all manner of legitimate trade with Gaza has come to a standstill, with devastating effects on the economy and on family livelihoods. Access to essential services and utilities, like health, water, and energy, is becoming more uncertain each day,” Ban said.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/510377