Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK (AOHR UK) has voiced criticism against the Israeli government’s recent approval to construct over 5700 new settlement units in the West Bank. AOHR UK asserts this move is a clear violation of Palestinian rights and a bold defiance of international laws prohibiting such settlements.
AOHR UK further argues that the Israeli government’s audacity to make such decisions is rooted in their perceived impunity from any significant international consequences. AOHR UK maintains that the international community has yet to adopt a firm stance holding the occupation’s leaders accountable for their persistent crimes against Palestinians.
While AOHR UK acknowledges international criticisms of Israel’s decision by governments including the UK, Canada, and Australia, they deem these criticisms as mere empty rhetoric, insufficient to deter the occupation authorities. The international community, the organization points out, possesses numerous effective tools that could be used not only to halt Israeli violations and ensure justice for Palestinians but to end the occupation entirely.
AOHR UK underscores the international community’s failure to decisively act to stop Israel’s violations as a form of passive acceptance of these escalating, ongoing transgressions which have been occurring for decades.
These decisions by the Israeli government, the organization points out, directly contravene the Fourth Geneva Convention’s provisions. Specifically, Article 49 strictly forbids an occupying power from transferring segments of its civilian population into the territories it occupies.
Moreover, AOHR UK asserts that Israel’s actions breach several United Nations Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 446 and Resolution 465, both of which underline the illegality of Israel’s settlements.
AOHR UK emphatically asserts that Israel’s continued settlement expansion unambiguously infringes upon the rights of the Palestinian people, including their rights to self-determination, equality, property ownership, decent living standards, and freedom of movement. Such decisions have led to forced evictions, demolitions of houses, and displacement of Palestinian civilians.
AOHR UK reiterates its call for Western governments and international entities to take proactive measures. It urges the international community to enforce respect for international laws and resolutions through more decisive actions and firmer measures to halt all Israeli violations of international law.
