UN report condemns Israel's "apartheid" practices in West Bank

A UN report issued on Wednesday condemned Israel for violating international law by implementing apartheid-like policies in the West Bank, where Israeli settlers and Palestinians are subjected to distinct legal systems resulting in widespread discrimination.

AI Brief

UN report warns of severe rights violations and systemic discrimination against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Volker Turk calls Israel's practices a breach of international law, demanding repeal of discriminatory policies and settlement dismantling.
Situation has worsened since 2022, with Palestinians facing restrictions on basic needs like water, healthcare, and movement.

The report, released by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, detailed the asphyxiating impact of Israel's laws, policies and practices on every aspect of daily life for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

In a recorded statement in Geneva, Switzerland, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk characterized the findings in the report as deeply alarming.

"Systemic discrimination against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is a long-standing concern, spanning decades, and the situation has drastically deteriorated since at least December 2022. Israeli authorities treat Israeli settlers and Palestinians residing in the West Bank under two distinct bodies of law and policies, resulting in unequal treatment on a range of critical issues. There is a systematic asphyxiation of the rights of Palestinians in the West Bank," said Turk.

"Whether accessing water, school, rushing to hospital, visiting family or friends, harvesting olives -- every aspect of life for Palestinians in the West Bank is controlled and curtailed by Israel's discriminatory laws, policies and practices. Israel is violating international law requiring States to prohibit and eradicate racial segregation and apartheid," he said.

He noted that every negative trend documented in the report has not only continued but accelerated, adding that every day this is allowed to continue, with the consequences worsening for Palestinians.

"The Israeli authorities must repeal all laws, policies and practices that perpetuate discrimination against Palestinians based on race, religion or ethnic origin. I call on the Israeli authorities to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including by dismantling all settlements and evacuating all settlers," said the UN human rights chief.