UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk criticized this Friday the Israeli organization’s approval for the construction almost 3,500 new homes in West Bank settlements and highlighted the acceleration of their expansion, as well as the risk it poses to the viability of the two-state solution.
“Reports this week that Israel plans to build 3,476 more settler homes in Ma’ale Adumim, Efrat and Kedar are a slap in the face to international law“Türk emphasized, stating that “sharp acceleration” construction in populated areas deepens patterns of oppression, violence and discrimination against Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
In a report to the UN Human Rights Council, Wolk argued that the rise and expansion of these Israeli settlements to resettle its population in the occupied territories amounts to war crimenear 24,300 houses were built. during the document study period, which runs from November 1, 2022 to October 31, 2023. This figure is the highest since 2017 and includes 9,670 houses in East Jerusalem.
A report published by his office reflected that the Israeli government’s policies they fit “at an unprecedented level” with the goals of the settlers. “They also contradict the vision of a wide range of states presented at the hearings just two weeks ago at the International Court of Justice (ICJ),” Turk added.
Volker Turk. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Photo: Screenshot of OHCHR video.
“The West Bank is already in crisis”warned Turk, stressing that “settler violence and settlement violations have reached shocking new levels and represent risk eliminating any practical possibility of creating a viable Palestinian state“.
The document also shows a sharp increase in attacks by settlers and “state violence” against Palestinianswith more than 600 attacks since October 7, the date of attacks carried out by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), and more than 1,200 Palestinians from 19 communities fled their homes as a direct result of this violence, which resulted in nine deaths at the hands of settlers and nearly 400 deaths in security force operations.
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In addition, approximately 600 people, including 282 children, were forced to flee their homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem after demolition of their houses due to lack of permits issued by the Israeli authorities, “almost impossible to get”amid dozens of incidents of attacks and harassment by settlers dressed in military uniform against Palestinians in these territories.
“Israeli actions against the Palestinian population must cease immediately. The only way forward is to find a viable political solution that will end the occupationkit independent Palestinian state and guarantee the realization of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people,” concluded the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
A car is set on fire during an attack by Israeli settlers in Jenin, West Bank. Photo by Reuters
The National Planning and Construction Council of Israel gave green light for 3,476 housing units on Wednesday -2452 in Maaleh Adumim, 694 in Efrat and 330 in Kedar. The body has not met since June 2023 due to the conflict sparked by the October 7 Hamas attacks that triggered an Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.
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International law considers the settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal.although Israel distinguishes between those it has given permission and those it has not, despite ongoing international criticism.
The Palestinian Authority has repeatedly condemned the expansion of these settlements and the relocation of the population within them. prevents a two-state solution and called for international action to end this Israeli practice.