UN rights chief calls for end to Israel's 'unnecessary, disproportionate use of force' in Hebron
The UN human rights chief on Monday called for an end to Israel's "unnecessary and disproportionate use of force" in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, where more than 2,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced since Friday. In a statement, Volker Turk said the Israeli operation had resulted in the demolition of residential and commercial properties, alongside severe restrictions on residents' freedom of movement. "The sweeping steps taken raise grave concerns of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force – which must end," he said.
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article never mentions the Friday attack at an Israeli checkpoint near Hebron, in which two Israeli soldiers were killed and Israeli forces killed both Palestinian attackers, and which Netanyahu and Katz cited when ordering the lockdown. A reader is not misled about Turk's statement, but is not told what Israeli officials said the operation was a response to.
How we know
- Anadolu Agency (English) wrote earlier“Israeli forces sealed off Hebron and nearby Halhul on Friday after two Palestinians attacked an Israeli checkpoint.”Israeli defense minister admits having forced 2,000 Palestinians from homes in West Bank city of Hebron (opens in a new tab)
- Al Jazeera English reported“Friday’s attack by two Palestinian gunmen on an Israeli army reserve base, which killed two Israeli soldiers”Israel to close occupied West Bank crossings as Hebron lockdown continues (opens in a new tab)
He warned that the Israeli lockdown had confined many Palestinians to their homes and surrounding neighborhoods, while statements by senior Israeli officials suggested the measures were punitive and intended to instill fear. "This is unacceptable," he stressed. Turk demanded that displaced Palestinians be allowed to return to their homes and called on Israel to provide compensation and reparations for unlawful evictions, demolitions, and resulting displacement.
"Collective punishment is a grave violation of international law," he said. He further warned that threats to empty and erase entire neighborhoods raised "serious concerns of ethnic cleansing."
Read the original article on aa.com.tr (opens in a new tab)