UN accuses Israel of repressing Palestinians in report | EUROtoday

As of: January 7, 2026 10:10 p.m

The UN human rights workplace accuses Israel of discriminating in opposition to Palestinians in a report. Human Rights Commissioner Türk spoke of similarities to the “apartheid system”. Israel rejects such allegations.

Serious allegations in opposition to Israel: A brand new UN report sees legit causes to imagine that Israel is looking for everlasting segregation – i.e. spatial or social separation – and oppression of the Palestinians. In areas occupied in violation of worldwide legislation, totally different authorized frameworks are utilized for Jewish settlers and Palestinians, which ends up in unequal therapy, for instance by way of freedom of motion and entry to sources corresponding to land and water.

The head of the UN physique, Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk, spoke of a “particularly severe form of racial discrimination and segregation that is similar to the apartheid system that we know from the past.”

Israeli authorities should “repeat laws, policies and practices that perpetuate systematic discrimination against Palestinians based on their racial, religious or ethnic origin,” Turk mentioned. He additional referred to as for an finish to the unlawful Israeli presence within the occupied Palestinian territories, together with East Jerusalem.

Since December 2022, Israel has elevated discrimination in opposition to Palestinians, the High Commission report continues.

Criticism of settler violence

Since the assaults by the terrorist group Hamas on October 7, 2023, the Israeli authorities has elevated using illegal violence, arbitrary arrests and torture, the repression of civil society and restrictions on media freedom, in addition to restrictions on motion and the growth of unlawful settlements. The scenario is being made worse by escalating settler violence, typically with the tolerance and participation of the Israeli army.

The High Commissioner recognized a number of areas the place the rights of the Palestinian individuals have been being suppressed: entry to water, faculties and hospitals, visits to households and associates. The olive harvest can be hindered or made not possible.

Illegal growth of Israeli settlements

The unlawful growth of Israeli settlements continues unabated, emphasised Türk. Israeli authorities and settlers have appropriated tens of 1000’s of hectares of Palestinian land, most of which is getting used to construct new settlements or outposts. Türk referred to as on Israel to repeal all legal guidelines, insurance policies and practices that discriminate in opposition to Palestinians based mostly on their faith or ethnic origin.

Israel rejects all allegations

Israel has not but responded to the present UN report. In the previous, Israel has at all times rejected allegations of discrimination in opposition to Palestinians within the occupied territories. In explicit, Israel rejects the accusation of getting established a racist system of apartheid. Israel has occupied the West Bank for the reason that 1967 Six-Day War.