“Rather 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,” he stated in a statement.
Document killings in 2022
Mr. Türk reported that file numbers of Palestinians had been killed within the occupied West Financial institution, together with East Jerusalem, in 2022, which additionally noticed the very best variety of Israeli fatalities inside Israel and the occupied West Financial institution in years.
To date, the brand new 12 months has introduced “more bloodshed, more destruction, and the situation continues to grow more volatile”, he added.
In 2022, the UN human rights workplace (OHCHR) documented 151 killings of Palestinians by Israeli safety forces within the occupied West Financial institution, together with East Jerusalem, plus one boy who was killed by both the Israeli forces or a settler. One other two Palestinians had been killed by Israeli settlers.
Most of the instances involving safety forces spark severe considerations of extreme use of drive and arbitrary killings.
Throughout the identical interval, 24 Israelis had been killed inside Israel and within the occupied West Financial institution by Palestinians.
A lethal begin
In the meantime, 34 Palestinians and 7 Israelis have been killed for the reason that begin of this 12 months.
Mr. Türk feared current Israeli measures “are only fuelling further violations and abuses of human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law.”
Following assaults final weekend in East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities moved to seal off the houses of the suspected perpetrators. Greater than 40 folks had been arrested, and two households had been forcibly evicted.
Israel has proposed different measures, together with revoking id paperwork, citizenship and residency rights, and social safety advantages of family of suspected attackers, in addition to ramping up home demolitions.
Fuelling additional violence
Mr. Türk stated such measures, if carried out, could quantity to collective punishment, which is “expressly prohibited” underneath worldwide humanitarian regulation and “incompatible” with worldwide human rights regulation.
Moreover, Israeli Authorities plans to expedite and increase the licensing of firearms for civilians, coupled with hateful rhetoric, “can only lead to further violence and bloodshed”, he added.
“We 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,” stated the Excessive Commissioner.
Cease fomenting hatred
Mr. Türk famous that there have already got been a number of stories of violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, notably within the occupied West Financial institution over the previous week.
“Rather than fuelling a worsening spiral of violence, I urge all those holding public office or other positions of authority – indeed everyone – to stop using language that incites hatred of ‘the other’,” stated Mr. Türk. “Such fomenting of hatred is corrosive for all Israelis, Palestinians, all of society.”
The UN rights chief known as for pressing measures to de-escalate tensions, together with making certain that killings and severe accidents are investigated in accordance with worldwide requirements.
Enchantment to leaders
“Impunity has been rife, sending a signal that excesses are allowed,” he stated. “The obligation under international human rights law is to investigate loss of life in any context of law enforcement – credibly and effectively – regardless of whether there was an exchange of fire between security forces and armed individuals.”
Mr. Türk urged Israel to make sure that all operations of its safety forces within the occupied West Financial institution, together with East Jerusalem, are carried out with full respect for worldwide human rights regulation.
“The folks of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory want their leaders to work – urgently – to create situations conducive to a political answer to this protracted, untenable state of affairs”, he stated.
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