UN Dismisses Annexation Proposals for Palestinian Territories

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has condemned proposals for the annexation of Palestinian territories and forced transfers, labeling them “unlawful” and a threat to regional peace, Arab News reported. Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council, Turk emphasized the need to resist normalizing such conduct, warning that these actions could destabilize both Palestinian and Israeli communities.

His remarks come amid rising violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank and discussions surrounding increased military operations in occupied territories. Turk highlighted the urgent need to end the conflict and hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses since the outbreak of war in Gaza following Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023.

He raised concerns about the Israeli justice system’s effectiveness in addressing these issues and noted that both Israeli forces and Palestinian groups have committed acts that may constitute war crimes. Turk called for independent investigations into all violations to ensure accountability and justice.

While Turk mentioned no names, earlier this month Washington sanctioned the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court Karim Khan over the ICC’s investigations targeting US personnel as well as alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza.