UN General Assembly
1967

8. Let me now turn to the specific areas of our failures and successes. In the first instance, the current conflict in the Middle East is an obvious and dangerous threat to peace and security. The efforts which the peacemakers are making are welcomed with the greatest appreciation. Peace will not come to the Middle East, stability and economic progress will never be assured, unless Israel withdraws from the Arab territories occupied by it since the end of the June war. There can be no understanding and cooperation among States in that area, there can be no reduction of tension, no peace for the world and for this Organization in particular, if Israel is allowed to retain and annex territories by conquest. Such a step would not be a solution but a further complication of the situation and an additional cause of future threats to peace and stability in the Middle East.