Settler violence: UN spokeswoman sees responsibility with Israel
Published: Friday, Aug 16th 2024, 18:30
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A spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office has sharply criticized Israel following the latest attack by Jewish settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank. "It was horrific," said Ravina Shamdasani in Geneva about the incident in which, according to Palestinian reports, a man was killed. "This is the direct result of Israel's settlement policy in the West Bank," said the spokeswoman.
In recent years, there have been repeated attacks by settlers and Israeli security forces, but there have almost never been any consequences for those suspected of being responsible. "The core problem is impunity," criticized Shamdasani. She referred to reports that Israeli security forces stand by instead of intervening in attacks by settlers and that weapons were distributed to settlers.
609 killings in the West Bank since October
"There is a clear responsibility of the state here," said the spokesperson, referring to Israel. Since the outbreak of violence in the Gaza Strip, the UN Human Rights Office has verified 609 killings of Palestinians in the West Bank - 591 by Israeli security forces and 11 by settlers. The responsibility for a further 7 deaths is unclear, it said. "This must stop," demanded Shamdasani.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, a 22-year-old Palestinian was shot dead on Thursday when dozens of masked settlers stormed the Palestinian village of Jit. Another Palestinian was seriously injured. According to Israeli media, the settlers set fire to houses and cars. According to a media report, the army is said to have arrested an Israeli.
©Keystone/SDA
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