“Instead of doubling down on the violent and coercive approaches that have failed in the past, I urge everyone involved to step out of the illogicality of escalation it ends with corpses, shattered lives and utter despair,” he said in statement.
Murder record in 2022
Türk reported that a record number of Palestinians were killed in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 2022, which also saw the highest number of Israeli deaths inside Israel and the West Bank. occupied for many years.
So far, the new year has brought “more bloodshed, more destruction and the situation continues to become more unstable”he added.
In 2022, the United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) documented 151 murders of Palestinians by Israeli security forces in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, plus one boy killed by Israeli forces or settlers. Two other Palestinians were killed by Israeli settlers.
Many cases involving security forces raise serious concerns about excessive use of force and arbitrary killing.
During the same period, 24 Israelis were killed inside Israel and in the Palestinian-occupied West Bank.
A Deadly Beginning
Meanwhile, 34 Palestinians and 7 Israelis have been killed since the beginning of this year.
Mr. Türk said Israel’s recent measures were “just abetting violations And abuse of human rights law And violate international humanitarian law.”
Following last weekend’s attacks in East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities sealed off the homes of suspected perpetrators. More than 40 people were arrested and two families were forcibly evicted from their homes.
Israel has proposed other measures, including revocation of identity documents, citizenship and residency rights, social security benefits of relatives of suspected attackers, as well as increased demolition. House.
Promote more violence
Mr Türk said such measures, if taken, can lead to collective punishmentare “explicitly prohibited” under international humanitarian law and “incompatible” with international human rights law.
Furthermore, the Government of Israel plans to accelerate and expand the licensing of weapons to civilians, along with hate speech, “could only lead to more violence and bloodshed,” he added.
“We know from experience that the proliferation of weapons leads to an increased risk of killing and wounding both Israelis and Palestinians. The Israeli authorities must work to reduce the availability of guns in society,” said the High Commissioner.
Stop cultivating hatred
Türk noted that there have been several reports of violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, particularly in the occupied West Bank, over the past week.
“Instead of fueling a vicious cycle of violence that worsens, I urge all those holding public office or other positions of power – indeed everyone – to stop using hate speech ‘opponent’,” said Mr. Türk. “Such incitement to hatred is corrosive to all Israelis, Palestinians, and to society as a whole.”
The UN rights chief called for urgent measures to reduce tensions, including ensuring that murders and serious injuries are investigated according to international standards.
Complaints to leaders
“Punishment was rampant, sending a signal that excesses were allowed,” he said. “The obligation under international human rights law is to investigate human harm in any law enforcement context – reliably and effectively – regardless of open fire between security forces and individuals. armed or not.”
Türk called on Israel to ensure that all activities of its security forces in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are carried out with full respect for international human rights law.
“The people of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories need their leaders to work – urgently – to facilitate a political solution to this protracted, unresolvable situation”. he say.
