United Nations: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a halt to "irresponsible rhetoric" that questions a two-state solution and incites hatred and violence.
With a September target date looming for agreement on the outlines of a peace deal, the UN chief again called on Israel to freeze colony construction on Palestinian land so negotiations can start.
"We cannot afford to lose any further time," he stressed.
Ban said the Palestinians have the right to an independent state, Israel has a right to live in peace within secure borders, and a way must be found for Jerusalem to emerge as the capital of the two states.
"There is no place for irresponsible rhetoric that calls into question these fundamentals, seeks to delegitimise the other's heritage or incites hatred and violence," he told the opening meeting of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.
Ban's speech reflected growing UN frustration with the stalemate in negotiations. The talks stalled just weeks after restarting last September because Israel lifted a moratorium on construction in Jewish colonies in the West Bank and occupied east Jerusalem.
