End support of settler violence, Israel told
UN warning comes amid fresh attacks
ISRAELI security forces “must immediately end their active participation in and support for settler attacks on Palestinians”, the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights said yesterday.
The statement follows a wave of settler attacks on Palestinian towns and villages in the West Bank triggered by the killing of a 14-year-old Israeli boy in what authorities have claimed was a militant attack.
The Palestinian Health Ministry said seven Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers since the latest wave of attacks began on Friday, and another 75 have been wounded.
Israeli authorities have urged people not to resort to vigilante attacks as tensions soar. But rights groups have long accused Israeli forces of routinely ignoring settler attacks – or even taking part in them.
Meanwhile, German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said that she would fly to Israel. She called on about 20 decomposed bodies was discovered. Residents said the bodies belong to the AlAssaf family, and said they were killed during an incursion by the Israeli military forces in the area four months ago.
Hamas has said the latest discovery indicates that there all sides to prevent the conflict from spreading, and for new sanctions against Iran.
Baerbock said: “I will assure our Israeli partners of Germany’s full solidarity. And we will discuss how a further escalation with more and more violence can be prevented. Because what matters now is to put a stop to Iran without encouraging further escalation.”
She also said she would use her Tel Aviv visit to again demand that more are “no limits” to what Israeli forces are willing to do.
“The series of ongoing violations, including the discovery of mass graves in al-Shifa, cases of execution, and the hundreds of bodies that remain under the rubble are clear ... war crimes,” it said. humanitarian aid be let into Gaza. Meanwhile, the minister further condemned the latest violence in the West Bank.
“I condemn the violent death of an Israeli boy in the strongest possible terms. At the same time, this must not be misused as a pretext for further violence.
“I also strongly condemn the attacks by extremist settlers in the West Bank, in which four or more Palestinians were killed.”