Attacks by Israeli settlers in West Bank not ‘isolated,’ follows pattern of discriminatory law: UN Human Rights official

GENEVA

The UN has criticized recent deadly attacks by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, stating that such incidents are “not isolated” but instead follow a pattern of discriminatory law.

“On 25 June, dozens of armed settlers launched coordinated attacks in several villages in Ramallah and Nablus, setting fire to Palestinian vehicles and homes, and shooting live ammunition,” UN human rights office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told Anadolu.

He noted that during a settler attack on a village near Ramallah, three Palestinians were shot and killed by Israeli security forces, and at least six others were also injured with live ammunition.

He stated that Israeli security forces claimed that the Palestinian men had thrown stones and shot live ammunition towards the settlers and Israeli security forces.

“This is not an isolated incident. It rather follows a pattern of discriminatory law enforcement by Israeli security forces who are often present during such attacks without taking any action to protect the Palestinian population, as per their obligation as the occupying power,” Al-Kheetan said.

According to the UN human rights office’s fatality tracking, Al-Kheetan said that since Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli settlers have killed 14 Palestinians – including two children – in the West Bank. Additionally, seven other Palestinians, including one child, were killed by either Israeli forces or settlers.

Since the start of Israel’s assault on Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, at least 986 Palestinians have been killed and more than 7,000 injured in the West Bank by Israeli forces and illegal settlers, the Health Ministry said.

In a landmark opinion last July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.