Spokesman for the Human Rights Commission: The Burning of Palestinian Properties by Settlers is Hate-Inducing

SadaNews - The spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Thamin Al-Khaitan, described the actions of Israeli settlers burning Palestinian properties in the occupied West Bank as "hate-inducing".

This came during his speech at a weekly press conference for the United Nations office in Geneva, on Friday.

Al-Khaitan stated: "Images of groups of masked Israeli settlers carrying out arson attacks in the occupied West Bank are hate-inducing and reflect a broader pattern of escalating violence against Palestinians."

He pointed out that many individuals have been injured in settler attacks, including the storming of a dairy factory and the burning of trucks and homes belonging to Palestinians.

He reported that the escalation of settler violence in the West Bank has been accompanied by an increase in demolitions, property seizures, arrests, and restrictions on movement imposed by Israeli occupation forces, in addition to the ongoing construction of settlements and forced displacement.

He added: "Israel transferring a part of the civilian population of the West Bank to occupied territories is a war crime."

He affirmed that "the Israeli government's claim of sovereignty over the West Bank and annexing parts of it are contrary to international law."

Al-Khaitan stated that the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, reiterated the necessity to halt attacks on Palestinians and their properties and hold those responsible accountable.