Attachments
The UN Human Rights Office calls on the Israeli authorities to take immediate, concrete steps to end the rapidly escalating violence being perpetrated against Palestinians by Israeli settlers and Israeli Security Forces (ISF) across the occupied West Bank following the reported murder of a 14-year-old Israeli boy. Thus far, revenge attacks - facilitated by ISF - have killed two Palestinians, including a child, injured scores of others, and destroyed homes and properties.
On the afternoon of 12 April, 14-year-old Israeli Benjamin Achimeir went missing from Malachei Shalom herding outpost. In response, mobs of armed settlers accompanied by ISF sealed off Palestinian villages in the area and carried out attacks against residents and property.
On 12 April, 25-year-old Jihad Afif Sudqi Abu Alia was shot in the head and killed in Al Mughayyer, Ramallah, after armed settlers and ISF blocked entrances to the town, fired live ammunition, and set fire to homes, other structures and cars, igniting further confrontations with Palestinians who were attempting to protect themselves and their property. On the evening of 13 April, a 17-year-old Palestinian boy from Beitin village, Ramallah was shot in the head and killed most likely by settlers during confrontations that reportedly erupted after armed settlers attacked Palestinian homes on the village outskirts. Earlier, another 14-year-old Palestinian boy had been shot in the leg and injured in the same village.
Also on 13 April, settlers accompanied and protected by ISF as shown in videos and photos on file with OHCHR, continued their attack on Al Mughayyer, reportedly injuring 59 Palestinians in total, at least 10 of whom seriously, including a 13-year-old girl shot in the leg. According to Palestinian sources most of the injuries were caused by live ammunition. Initial estimates are that a total of 100 homes and other buildings were partially or completely burnt down and 32 vehicles torched in the two days of violence. It was also reported that three Israeli soldiers were lightly injured by stones thrown by Palestinians.
On the same day, about 1000 armed settlers accompanied by several ISF soldiers launched a multi-pronged attack on Palestinians in Duma, Nablus, injuring five Palestinians and setting some 65 properties, including homes, vehicles, farms and other structures, on fire. According to information gathered by OHCHR, several soldiers were seen taking active part in the attacks against Palestinians. Furthermore, when a large number of soldiers eventually arrived at the scene after two hours, according to witnesses they did nothing to constrain the actions of armed settlers, but reportedly used live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets and tear gas against the Palestinians in ways that violated international norms and standards.
In Qusra, Nablus, about 30 homes and other buildings were damaged by stones thrown by settlers, who also set fire to the municipality hall, 13 cars, an olive press and a poultry farm. Further similar attacks were reported in Khirbit Abu Falah, Ramallah, and in Bethlehem and Hebron Governorates. Meanwhile, ISF imposed additional restrictions on Palestinians at checkpoints throughout the West Bank, while settlers accompanied by ISF blocked all entrances and roads connecting Ramallah to the northern West Bank. Settlers also took to social media to incite violence and call for the burning of Palestinian homes.
The UN Human Rights Office recalls that Israel, as the occupying power, must take measures to restore and ensure, as far as possible, public order and safety in the occupied West Bank. This obligation includes protecting Palestinians from settler attacks and ending unlawful attacks against Palestinians by ISF. Israeli Security Forces must immediately end their active participation in and support for settler attacks on Palestinians and prevent further attacks, including by bringing those responsible to account. All persons reasonably suspected of criminal acts, including murder or other unlawful killings, must be brought to justice according to law through a judicial process that complies with international human rights standards following a prompt, impartial, independent, effective, and transparent investigation must be carried out by an independent body. Victims of the unlawful use of force by ISF shall have the right to an effective remedy. Neither Palestinians nor Israelis should take the law into their own hands to exact revenge.