UN Raps ’Israel’ for Using Excessive Force against Palestinians

Local Editor

A UN human rights expert had slammed the "Israeli" regime for using excessive force against Palestinian protesters amid ongoing tensions between the two sides in the occupied territories.

Makarim Wibisono, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, warned on Thursday that the upsurge in violence was a "grim reminder" of the unsustainable human rights situation in the Palestinian territories.

The UN official also called on Tel Aviv to charge or release all Palestinian prisoners being held under the so-called administrative detention, which allows the regime to keep them behind bars without charge or trial for months or even years.

"Hundreds of Palestinians being held, now including children, often under secret evidence, and for up to six-month terms that can be renewed indefinitely, is not consistent with international human rights standards," Wibisono said.

Citing figures from the "Israeli" group "B'Tselem", Wibisono further said nearly 5,680 Palestinians, including minors, were detained by the "Israeli" regime as of the end of October 2015.

Wibisono, who has been in charge of monitoring rights violations in the occupied East al-Quds [Jerusalem], the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip, quit the job last month, citing "Israel's" refusal to grant him access to the occupied territories.

The UN monitor on Palestine assumed the post in June 2014 and his resignation will take effect on March 31.

Wibisono further slammed the "Israeli" entity for its "illegal" settlement activities in the besieged West Bank, the construction of the separation wall and the blockade of Gaza, saying the measures amounted to a "stranglehold" and "collective punishment."

He said the Tel Aviv regime must address these issues to uphold international law and ensure protection for Palestinians.

More than half a million "Israeli" settlers live in over 230 illegal settlements built since the 1967 "Israeli" occupation of the Palestinian territories of the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds [Jerusalem]. The UN and most countries regard the "Israeli" settlements as unlawful.

Tensions have been running high in the besieged West Bank after "Israel's" imposition in August 2015 of restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The mosque in East al-Quds [Jerusalem] is the third holiest site in Islam.

More than 170 Palestinians, including children and women, had been martyred by "Israeli" regime forces since the outbreak of tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories last October.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team