GENEVA – The UN human rights head warned Friday that a new outbreak of violence in the occupied West Bank might spiral out of control.
At least 18 individuals have been slain in the region this week, either in Israeli military operations or attacks by Palestinians or Jewish settlers.
“These latest killings and violence, along with inflammatory rhetoric, only serve to drive Israelis and Palestinians deeper into an abyss,” Volker Turk said in a statement.
More than 200 people have perished in violence related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict this year, the great majority of whom are Palestinians.
In recent days, deadly violence has erupted in the northern West Bank, a bastion of Palestinian armed organisations where Israel has increased military operations.
Turk claimed that this week’s violence was spurred by aggressive political language and an increase in Israel’s employment of modern military hardware.
“Israel must urgently reset its policies and actions in the occupied West Bank in line with international human rights standards, including protecting and respecting the right to life,” Turk stated.
“As the occupying power, Israel also has obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure public order and safety within the occupied Palestinian territory.”
Turk stated that the fundamental factors that lead to violence and arbitrary loss of life needed to be addressed promptly, which would necessitate political will from Israel, the Palestinians, and the international community.
“For this violence to end, the occupation must end,” he explained.
“On all sides, those in positions of political power are aware of this and must take immediate action to address it.”
