UN report slams Israel's 'excessive force' against Palestinians

Israel is using "excessive force" in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT), violating human rights in the name of counter-terrorism, and its building of a “separation wall” and expansion of settlements bear the hallmarks of annexation and "illegal conquest”, according to a United Nations human rights report released today.

While acknowledging Israel’s legitimate security concerns and its right to take strong action to prevent suicide bombings and other forms of terrorism, the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights for the OPT, John Dugard, said that the lawfulness of Israel’s response "is to be measured in accordance with the principle of proportionality".

“The Special Rapporteur finds it difficult to accept that the excessive use of force that disregards the distinction between civilians and combatants, the creation of a humanitarian crisis by restrictions on the mobility of goods and people, the killing and inhuman treatment of children, the widespread destruction of property and, now, territorial expansion can be justified as a proportionate response to the violence and threats of violence to which Israel is subjected,” Mr Dugard wrote.

“On occasion, Israel’s action in the OPT is so remote from the interests of security that it assumes the character of punishment, humiliation and conquest,” he added.

“Some limit must be placed on the violation of human rights in the name of counter-terrorism. A balance must be struck between respect for human rights and the interests of security.”

Mr Dugard said that the wall separating Israel from the West Bank “has been frenetically pursued”, does not follow the de facto boundary line, and incorporates large areas of the West Bank into Israel, with over 210,000 Palestinians threatened with being effectively cut off from their farmlands, workplaces, schools and health clinics.

“The evidence strongly suggests that Israel is determined to create facts on the ground amounting to de facto annexation. Annexation of this kind, known as conquest in international law, is prohibited by the Charter of the United Nations and the Fourth Geneva Convention,” he added, calling for it to be condemned as unlawful annexation.

Mr Dugard also said that restrictions on freedom of movement continue to create a humanitarian crisis in the OPT and that the death toll continues to rise as a result of suicide bombings and military incursions.

Calling for an independent inquiry on Palestinians in Israeli jails, he concluded: “Sadly, allegations of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment continue to be made."

(gmcg)