Release of Palestinian Member of Legislative Council Khalida Jarrar, Settlements – 12 July 2021 Daily Press Briefing – (Excerpts)

12 JULY 2021

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

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Questions and Answers

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Question:  Yes, Farhan.  Thank you.  Palestinian member of Legislative Council Khalida Jarrar, she’s in jail.  Her daughter just had a heart attack and died.  She’s 25.  And there is a world pressure now on Israel to let her attend the funeral.  Do you have anything to say?  I expected Mr. [Tor] Wennesland to say something in sympathy with Miss Khalida Jarrar’s tragedy.  Do you see there is validity of calling the Israeli authorities to let her attend the funeral of her daughter?

Deputy Spokesman:  Well, certainly, it’s a case for the authorities to consider the case for compassionate leave.  Beyond that, of course, I would also point out that we have called for all those in detention to be tried promptly and to face due process or otherwise to be released.

Question:  I still have two question.  Can I?  Sorry.  Mr. [Michael] Lynk, the Special Rapporteur on violations for human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said during the weekend that the… building settlement, confiscating land, destruction of homes, they could be considered a war crime.  Do you subscribe to that analysis?

Deputy Spokesman:  We are against the construction of settlements, and we’ve discussed why that is.  The views of Mr. Lynk, as an independent Special Rapporteur, are his own.

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For information media. Not an official record.