<\/p>\n
GENEVA (3 February 2023) \u2013 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker T\u00fcrk on Friday urged an end to the \u201cillogic of escalation that has been building up, to the detriment of the human rights of Palestinians and Israelis\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cRather than doubling down on failed approaches of violence and coercion that have singularly failed in the past, I urge everyone involved to step out of the illogic of escalation that has only ended in dead bodies, shattered lives and utter despair,\u201d T\u00fcrk said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI fear that recent measures being taken by the Government of Israel are only fuelling further violations and abuses of human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year saw record numbers of Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem \u2013 and the highest number of fatalities of Israelis inside Israel and in the occupied West Bank in many years. Already this year, we have seen more bloodshed, more destruction, and the situation continues to grow more volatile,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
In 2022, the UN Human Rights Office documented 151 killings of Palestinians by Israeli security forces in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem, plus one boy who was killed by either the Israeli security forces or a settler. Another two Palestinians were killed by Israeli settlers. In many of the cases involving security forces, there are serious concerns of excessive use of force and arbitrary killings.<\/p>\n
So far this year, 32 Palestinians have already been killed in the occupied West Bank by Israeli security forces, with two more killed by settlers.<\/p>\n
In 2022, 24 Israelis were killed inside Israel and in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem by Palestinians, and seven more have been killed so far this year.<\/p>\n
Israeli authorities on 29 January announced measures to seal off immediately family homes of those suspected of having perpetrated attacks on 27 and 28 January in occupied East Jerusalem, including an attack in a settlement near a synagogue. More than 40 people, including family members, were arrested purportedly in relation to the attacks. Two families of the suspected attackers were forcibly evicted from their homes. Other proposed measures include revoking identity documents, citizenship and residency rights and social security benefits of family members of suspected attackers, and accelerating demolitions of houses for lack of building permits. If implemented, these may amount to collective punishment.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeasures of collective punishment \u2013 including punitive forced evictions and house demolitions \u2013 are expressly prohibited under international humanitarian law and are incompatible with international human rights law provisions,\u201d T\u00fcrk said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlans by the Government of Israel to expedite and expand the licensing of firearms, with the stated intention of \u2018adding thousands of (Israeli) civilians carrying firearms\u2019 \u2013 coupled with hateful rhetoric \u2013 can only lead to further violence and bloodshed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know from experience that the proliferation of firearms will lead to increased risks of killings and injuries of both Israelis and Palestinians. The Israeli authorities must work to reduce the availability of firearms in society,\u201d the High Commissioner added.<\/p>\n
There have already been several reports of violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, particularly in the occupied West Bank over the past week.<\/p>\n
\u201cRather than fuelling a worsening spiral of violence, I urge all those holding public office or other positions of authority \u2013 indeed everyone \u2013 to stop using language that incites hatred of \u2018the other\u2019,\u201d T\u00fcrk said. \u201cSuch fomenting of hatred is corrosive for all Israelis, Palestinians, all of society.\u201d<\/p>\n
The High Commissioner called for urgent measures to de-escalate tensions, including \u2013 crucially \u2013 ensuring that killings and serious injuries are investigated in accordance with international standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cImpunity has been rife, sending a signal that excesses are allowed,\u201d he said. \u201cThe obligation under international human rights law is to investigate loss of life in any context of law enforcement \u2013 credibly and effectively \u2013 regardless of whether there was an exchange of fire between security forces and armed individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n
T\u00fcrk called on Israel to ensure that all operations of its security forces in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem, are carried out with full respect for international human rights law, in particular the rules regulating the use of force in law enforcement operations. Use of firearms is allowed only as a last resort, when there is an imminent threat to life or serious injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory need their leaders to work \u2013 urgently \u2013 to create conditions conducive to a political solution to this protracted, untenable situation,\u201d T\u00fcrk stressed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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