UN URGES ISRAEL TO WITHDRAW SETTLERS FROM WEST BANK

Washington, 12 Jumadil Awwal/23 March 2013 (MINA) – The United Nations Human Rights Council has urged Israel to withdraw all settlers from the occupied West Bank and compensate Palestinians affected by its settlement policy.

The top human rights body also called on Israel to end human rights violations associated with settlement construction, DPA reported as monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

It also called on Israel to stop settler violence against Palestinians and prosecute settlers who attack Palestinians. Israel’s arbitrary arrests of Palestinians were also condemned during the debate of the council in Geneva on Friday (22/3).

The UN’s top human rights body passed five resolutions critical of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. The US was the only member of the 47-nation council to vote against the resolutions.

Israel did not participate in Friday’s debate, claiming it was biased in favor of Palestinians.

Israel has built thousands of settler homes in the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem) since it occupied them in 1967.

The Israeli settlements are considered illegal by much of the international community. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the settlement construction is part of Tel Aviv’s policy and will not stop.

Construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian lands violates the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prevents an occupying power from transferring its own population into occupied territory, which could be equal to war crimes that fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

Palestinians want East al-Quds as the capital of their future state.(T/P05/P03)