Rights experts call for action to address rising violence in Israel and occupied Palestinian territory — Global Issues

OHCHR Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani emphasize that The use of force in law enforcement activities is strictly limited and governed by international rules and standards.

Review policies and procedures

“The use of force by the Israeli police that resulted in widespread injury to worshipers and staff in and around the Al Aqsa mosque compound must be investigated in a timely, impartial, independent and transparent manner,“She told journalists in Geneva.

“Those responsible for any violations must be held accountable, and policies and procedures on the use of force reviewed to avoid any further violations.”

Last weekend, about 180 Palestinians, including at least 27 children, were wounded by Israeli forces during tensions around the Al Aqsa mosque compound, an important site for both Muslims and Jew.

Beating and Arresting

OHCHR said the actions of Israeli security forces, as captured in the video, raised serious concerns about the widespread, unnecessary and indiscriminate use of force.

“Several Palestinians, including the elderly, women, children and at least one journalist, who do not appear to pose any threat to Israeli security forces of any kind. , was beaten with batons or shot with foam bullets from close range,” said Ms. Shamdashani.

Israeli police also said they arrested more than 470 people in Jerusalem over the weekend.

While all are believed to have been released, most are barred from entering the Al Aqsa Mosque complex, or Jerusalem’s Old City, for the coming weeks as a condition of their release.

The latest developments occurred on Thursday morning, when Israeli police said they had raided the courtyards of the Al Aqsa mosque compound to push Palestinians out of the area.

According to reports, dozens of people were detained in the Al Qibli mosque, also on the premises, and six people were injured by bullets with sponges.

More violence was reported overnight and into Friday morning, with a journalist, an elderly person and a medical worker among those injured by Israeli forces.

Impact felt elsewhere

Shamdasani said tensions in Jerusalem are impacting other regions as well. This week, Palestinian armed groups have launched six rockets and one mortar towards Israel.

In response, Israel attacked several military sites of armed groups throughout the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported at either location.

These developments come after weeks of violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem and in Israel. In the deadliest attacks in Israel in years, 12 Israelis and two foreigners were killed in attacks in Beersheba, Bnei Brak, Hadera and Tel Aviv.

Extensive military operations

Shamdasani said increased Israeli military activities in the West Bank, especially in Jenin, and the use of guns by Palestinian militants, put Palestinians there at high risk.

Israeli security forces have killed 19 Palestinians this month, including three boys and three women. More points were injured. Raids and arrests across the West Coast have also intensified, raising serious concerns about the excessive use of force, as well as the ill-treatment and arbitrary arrests of family members. wanted people.

“Several murders, particularly the shooting by Israeli security forces of a Palestinian woman in Husan on April 10 in Husan on April 10, raised serious concerns about the use of excessive force and arbitrarily taking life”.

“We echo the United Nations Secretary-General’s call for calm and urge investigations into where people were killed or injured.”

International action needed

Meanwhile, an independent UN human rights expert has called on the international community to urgently take both short- and long-term steps to tackle the growing violence.

“The past few weeks have seen an increased level of violence related to Israel’s 55-year-old Israeli occupation of Palestine”speak Michael Lynk, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.

“International failure to act in the face of these new levels of violence will only encourage more similar action.”

Mr. Lynk stated that “the level of violence that Israel requires to maintain its occupation has steadily increased over the past 16 months.”

Deaths and Destruction

Last year, he said, marked the highest number of Palestinian deaths due to confrontation with Israelis since 2014, while the number of Palestinian children killed in Israeli violence was the most since the same period.

Mr. Lynk reports that in 2021, incidents of settler violence against Palestinians or their property are the highest since the statistics were first collected in 2017. Last year also demonstrated The highest number of Palestinian homes demolished by Israeli orders since 2016.

The rights expert outlined measures that the international community should take, such as directing Israel to end the 15-year blockade of Gaza; suspend all settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem; and the removal of checkpoints, permit restrictions and other barriers to Palestinians’ freedom of movement.

End of career

The Special Rapporteur also calls on the international community to embark on a rights-based peace process between Israel and Palestine, focusing on international law and United Nations resolutions.

The ultimate goal, he said, must be a quick and complete end to the occupation and the realization of Palestinians’ right to self-determination.

“Only by providing a horizon of hope, through the meaningful request of the international community that occupation be completely stopped, with all deliberate speed, can the increase in this alarming violence.”

Independent voice

Special Rapporteur like Mr. Lynk accept their mission from the United Nations Dong Nhan Quyen Associationbased in Geneva.

They operate as individuals and are not employees of the United Nations, nor are they paid for their work.