Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, recently made a statement regarding Israeli settler violence and its impact on the establishment of a Palestinian state. Turk expressed concern over the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, stating that they pose a significant threat to the possibility of a viable Palestinian state.
According to Turk, the growth of Israeli settlements constitutes a war crime, as it involves the transfer of Israel’s civilian population into occupied territories. This expansion has long been viewed by the international community as a violation of international law and a hindrance to the achievement of Palestinian statehood.
Turk’s report highlighted the alarming increase in settler violence and settlement-related violations, which he believes jeopardize any practical chance of establishing a Palestinian state. The report documented a record number of 24,300 new Israeli housing units in the occupied West Bank over a one-year period. Additionally, there has been a sharp rise in the intensity, severity, and frequency of both settler and state violence against Palestinians, particularly since the recent conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The report also shed light on forced evictions, the non-issuance of building permits, home demolitions, and restrictions on Palestinian movement, further exacerbating the situation. In response to these developments, the United States, Britain, and France have imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers involved in acts of violence and incitement against Palestinians.
Israel’s settlement-planning authority recently approved permits for nearly 3,500 new housing units in occupied Palestinian territory, drawing condemnation from several countries, including Israel’s allies. These plans were deemed unilateral and illegal measures that violated international law by Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Qatar also expressed concern, stating that such actions hindered the resumption of the peace process and posed a threat to international efforts towards a two-state solution.
Germany joined in the criticism, calling on Israel to withdraw these plans, which it regarded as a serious violation of international law. Despite the backlash, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich emphasized the determination to continue building in these areas, claiming that the construction serves to strengthen the Israeli presence.
The United Nations’ special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Tor Wennesland, reiterated that all settlements are illegal under international law and contribute to the ongoing conflict in the West Bank. Even the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, two Arab nations that have normalized relations with Israel, condemned these recent Israeli plans.
Israel’s establishment of settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip after the 1967 Six-Day War is considered illegal under international law. The international community has consistently voiced its opposition to these actions, recognizing the detrimental effects they have on the prospects of a peaceful resolution in the region.
It is crucial for the international community to continue holding Israel accountable for its settlement expansion and to advocate for the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people. A just and lasting solution can only be achieved through dialogue, respect for international law, and a commitment to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel.
