UN Special Rapporteur: Israeli Settlements Constitute War Crimes
The UN Rapporteur at the Human Rights Council concludes, according to the Rome Statute, that the Israeli settlement activities in the occupied territories are considered war crimes under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
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Human Rights Council: Israeli settlement activities violate international law.
Al-Mayadeen's correspondent in Geneve reported that the Human Rights Council discussed the UN Special Rapporteur report on the human rights situation in the occupied territories since 1967.
The UN Special Rapporteur report on the Occupied Territories concluded, after an in-depth analysis of the Rome Statute, that Israeli settlement actions constitute an "ongoing war crime, under the mandatory jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court."
The Special Rapporteur urged the international community "to support the International Criminal Court prosecutor to investigate the allegation that Israeli settlements violate the Rome Statute."
In addition, the UN rapporteur called on "Israel" to dismantle its settlements to abide by the Rome Statute.
On May 27, the Human Rights Council said that the Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip are considered war crimes, according to Commission Chairperson Michelle Bachelet.
Bachelet's words come during discussions regarding the formation of an international commission of inquiry to discuss the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as the human rights violations in the occupied territories.
A few days ago, the European Union considered that "Israeli settlements are illegal and must end immediately." He also warned of the consequences of the Israeli settlement policy in the West Bank, stressing that it will lead to "more violence and human suffering."
The European Union confirmed earlier that it does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, noting that "Israel's" decision to annex parts of the area violates international law.
It is worth mentioning that on May 29, the Israeli occupation forces demolished a Palestinian shop in the Al-Bistan neighborhood in Silwan and notified citizens of demolishing several other buildings in the same area. Around 20 houses are at risk of being demolished, and more than 1,000 Palestinians are at risk of losing their homes.
