He warned that, if implemented, the decisions “will undoubtedly accelerate the dispossession of Palestinians and their forcible transfer, and lead to the creation of more illegal Israeli settlements.”
This, in turn, “will further deprive Palestinians of their natural resources and restrict their enjoyment of other human rights.”
Acquire more land
On February 8, the Israeli security cabinet approved a package of measures that would increase Israeli civilian authority in areas A and B of the West Bank, which together constitute approximately 40 percent of the territory.
Some of these powers fall under the purview of the Palestinian Authority, according to the Oslo Accords, twin peace agreements signed by Israeli and Palestinian leaders in the 1990s.
The measures would change the law to allow Israeli authorities and individuals to acquire land in Areas A and B, in violation of occupation law.
“This will further consolidate Israeli control and integration of the occupied West Bank into Israel, consolidating the illegal annexation,” Türk said.
Cultural rights violated
the decisions It will also strip the Palestinian Authority of its planning and construction powers. in parts of Hebron in the southern part of the West Bank, including the Ibrahimi Mosque, known to Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs and a holy site for Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
Israel would also establish administrative control over another holy site, Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, to accelerate settlement expansion.
“This not only violates the territorial rights of Palestinians, but also their cultural rights with respect to sites of particular importance,” the rights chief said.
“Decisions must be revoked”
Mr. Türk noted that the new measures come amid a broader context of increasing attacks by settlers and Israeli security forces against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, forced transfers, evictions, home demolitions, land grabs and restrictions on movement, among other documented violations.
“We are witnessing rapid steps to permanently change the demographics of the occupied Palestinian territory, dispossessing its people of their land and forcing them to leave,” he said.
“This is supported by the rhetoric and actions of senior Israeli officials and violates Israel’s obligation as an occupying power to preserve the existing legal order and social fabric. These decisions must be reversed.”
He concluded by calling for all settlements to be evacuated and for the Israeli occupation to end now.