UN Rapporteur: What “Israel” is doing in the West Bank is shameful and illegal
WORLD, March 09 (YPA) – The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, described Israel’s actions in the West Bank as shameful and illegal, though not surprising.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Albanese affirmed that Israel is seeking to control what remains of Palestine, noting that it is currently implementing in the West Bank what it previously did in the Gaza Strip.
No justification for Israeli aggression
Albanese emphasized that the events of October 7, 2023, cannot justify all that Israel is doing, including its attempts to resume fighting in Gaza. She added that despite Israel not facing any attacks in the West Bank, its residents are experiencing violence similar to that faced by the people of the Gaza Strip, amidst the international community’s and Arab countries’ inability to take decisive action.
Arab complicity and silence
Albanese criticized the Arab stance on Israeli crimes, describing it as shocking. She asserted that there are no security justifications for denying water access to Palestinian residents or imposing restrictions on their religious freedom, pointing out that Israel prevents Palestinians under the age of 55 from praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.
She noted that many UN rapporteurs affirm that Israel has no rights to the West Bank, Gaza Strip, or East Jerusalem, calling for Israel to withdraw its forces and dismantle its settlements, or at least to adhere to its legal obligations as an occupying power.
Criticism of the Palestinian Authority and the international community
Albanese also criticized the Palestinian Authority, saying that it is disconnected from its citizens, and emphasized that no blame can be placed on Palestinians, as the divided international community is the sole culprit in the deteriorating situation in Palestine.
She praised the positions of South Africa, Spain, and Namibia, which have taken concrete steps against Israeli policies, compared to Arab countries that have only attempted to prevent Donald Trump’s plan in Gaza.
Rejection of normalization
Albanese mocked the claims about the limited ability of Arab countries to act, asserting that the current circumstances provide an important opportunity to unify the Arab voice in defense of Palestinians instead of merely focusing on the reconstruction of Gaza.
She stressed that normalization with Israel cannot come at the expense of Palestinians and their cause, accusing some Arab countries of conspiring with Israel against Palestinians.
On the ground, the Israeli occupation continued its military aggression in the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem, causing widespread destruction to residents’ homes. The occupation forces also stormed several towns and cities in the West Bank.
The occupation authorities had displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians from the refugee camp, then allowed them to return briefly to collect some belongings, but they were shocked by the extent of the destruction to their homes.
In a related context, violent clashes erupted between Palestinians and occupation forces in the town of Beit Ummar in Al-Khalil, where Israeli forces blocked worshippers from entering the Ibrahimi Mosque.
“Israel” has been carrying out a large-scale military operation in northern West Bank for weeks, starting in the refugee camps and then expanding to other areas, marking the longest aggression in years.
@E.Y.M