UN Secretary General makes surprise visit to Israel

(Vatican Radio) U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will make a surprise visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Tuesday, in an attempt to bring an end to the monthlong wave of violence that has plagued the region.

The visit comes amid unrest that erupted in Jerusalem a month ago over tensions surrounding a Jerusalem holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims. It soon spread to Arab neighborhoods of east Jerusalem and then to the West Bank, Gaza and Israel. The wave of daily attacks has caused panic across Israel and raised fears that the region is on the cusp of a new round of heavy violence.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Malki told Palestinian radio that Ban Ki-moon, who is currently in Europe, will arrive later Tuesday and meet with both sides. The UN Secretary General will meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, the two leaders' offices said.

There was no confirmation of a meeting between Ban and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but reports said the country's new ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, was on his way home to prepare for a meeting with the prime minister.

Prior to the visit, the Secretary General issued a video message late Monday calling for calm on both sides.