UN rights office raises alarm over escalating violence in occupied West Bank
GENEVA (24 January 2023) – The UN Human Rights Office said on Tuesday that it is deeply alarmed by the escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the number of fatalities there, many of whom were children.
At least 36 Palestinians, including 8 children, have been killed in the occupied West Bank since the start of the year, including by Israeli security forces during law enforcement operations as well as during attacks carried out by Israeli settlers. Four Israeli civilians, including a child, have been killed by Palestinians in the same period.
“We condemn the killing of all civilians, and remind all parties that the use of lethal force should always be a last resort,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. “Intense violence and rising casualties in the occupied West Bank require urgent action to prevent further bloodshed.”
“We call on all sides to exercise restraint and to take immediate steps to defuse the situation,” Türk said. “We also call on Israeli and Palestinian authorities to conduct immediate, impartial, thorough and transparent investigations into each killing.”
The UN rights office noted that the underlying causes of violence and heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank include ongoing settlement expansion, settler violence and house demolitions, and the lack of genuine prospects for a political solution with the establishment of a viable and independent Palestinian State.
“It is crucial for both Israeli and Palestinian authorities to take bold steps and engage constructively to end this vicious cycle of violence and find a lasting political solution based on respect for international law and human rights,” Türk said.
UN rights office raises alarm over escalating violence in occupied West Bank
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