Press briefing note on Burundi, Israel / Occupied Palestinian Territory, Cuba and High Commissioner speeches
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Cécile Pouilly
Location: Geneva
Date: 15 December 2015
Subjects: (1) Burundi, (2) Israel / Occupied Palestinian Territory, (3) Cuba and (4) High Commissioner speeches
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(2) Israel / Occupied Palestinian Territory
We continue to be gravely concerned at the unrelenting violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in Israel. Since the current escalation started at the beginning of October, 21 Israelis and 117 Palestinians have lost their lives (along with two foreign nationals), with thousands more injured.
Although international attention on the crisis has waned, the level of killings, injuries and arrests has continued, with on average one person dying every day.
The unacceptable wave of stabbings, shootings and car rammings continues to kill and injure Israelis.
The response from Israeli security forces has resulted in alleged attackers, protesters and even bystanders being killed and injured. We again voice deep concern over reports of excessive use of force by Israeli forces.
In the H2 area of Hebron alone, we have seen 16 alleged attacks against Israelis since 1 October. Of the 17 Palestinians involved in such incidents, 16 have been shot dead and one injured and arrested.
All instances of the use of force resulting in death or injury by law enforcement officers should be the subject of prompt, independent and impartial investigations.
Punitive demolitions of Palestinian houses and the withholding of bodies of alleged attackers from their families can only aggravate this situation. We call on both Israeli and Palestinian leaders to act decisively to de-escalate the situation.
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ENDS
For more information or media requests, please contact Rupert Colville (+41 22 917 9767 / rcolville@ohchr.org ) or Ravina Shamdasani (+41 22 917 9169 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org) or Cécile Pouilly (+41 22 917 9310 / cpouilly@ohchr.org)
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Document Sources: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Subject: Hebron, House demolitions, Security issues
Publication Date: 15/12/2015