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UN: Violence and occupation of West Bank worsening
🇳🇴 Norway /Conflict & Security

UN: Violence and occupation of West Bank worsening

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • The UN Human Rights Office reports that violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank is worsening, two years after the ICJ declared the occupation illegal.
  • Settlers are frequently attacking Palestinians, their villages, and property, with Israeli soldiers rarely intervening and often protecting the settlers.
  • The UN calls for swift, collective international action to halt the killings, displacement of Palestinians, and end the Israeli occupation.

Violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank is escalating, according to a statement from the UN Human Rights Office. This assessment comes two years after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled Israel's occupation of the West Bank illegal.

The UN expressed deep concern over the Israeli government's announcement to further increase settlements and outposts. The office also noted Israeli leaders' calls for collective punishment against Palestinians in the region.

We are deeply concerned about the Israeli government's announcement to increase the number of settlements and outposts further, and about Israeli leaders' calls for collective punishment of the Palestinians there.

— UN Human Rights Office spokespersonExpressing concern over Israeli government actions and rhetoric regarding settlements and collective punishment.

Since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, settler violence against Palestinians has intensified. Reports indicate near-daily attacks where settlers assault Palestinians, set fire to homes, vehicles, and crops. Crucially, Israeli soldiers seldom intervene to prevent these attacks; instead, they are reported to protect the settlers.

Recent clashes have resulted in the deaths of eight Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers since Thursday. Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, stated, "Attacks by Israeli settlers and the establishment of settlements and outposts have reached a historic peak." She urged other nations to act quickly and collectively to stop the ongoing killings and displacement of Palestinians and to bring an end to the Israeli occupation.

Attacks by Israeli settlers and the establishment of settlements and outposts have reached a historic peak. Other countries must act quickly and collectively to stop the ongoing killings and displacement of the Palestinian people, and to put an end to the Israeli occupation.

— Ravina ShamdasaniUrging international intervention to address the escalating violence and occupation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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