UN Report Accuses Israel of Systemic Discrimination and Apartheid in West Bank
UN Report Accuses Israel of Systemic Discrimination and Apartheid in West Bank
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A UN Human Rights Office report published on Wednesday details the extensive impact of Israeli laws, policies, and practices on Palestinian life in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Arab News reports. The report warns that Israel is violating international obligations to prevent and eradicate racial segregation and apartheid.
The report describes systemic discrimination against Palestinians as a long-standing issue that has significantly worsened since December 2022. It highlights that Israeli authorities apply separate legal systems for settlers and Palestinians, resulting in unequal treatment in critical areas such as movement, access to land and water, and criminal justice.
Palestinians face large-scale land confiscation, eviction from homes, and resource deprivation. Military courts, which try Palestinians, offer limited due process and fair trial protections, contrasting sharply with civil law applied to Israeli settlers. The report also documents discriminatory restrictions on movement that undermine employment, access to education, healthcare, and economic stability.
Israeli settlement expansion is described as ongoing and unlawful under international law, with tens of thousands of hectares of Palestinian land appropriated for settlements and outposts. The report also notes the confiscation and destruction of Palestinian water infrastructure, forcing the Palestinian Authority to purchase water from Israeli sources.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk described the situation as a systematic “asphyxiation of rights” affecting every aspect of Palestinian daily life, from accessing schools and hospitals to harvesting olives. He emphasized that these policies constitute a severe form of racial discrimination akin to apartheid.
The report stresses that impunity for violations is widespread, with just one conviction resulting from more than 1,500 killings of Palestinians recorded between 2017 and September 2025. Settler violence often occurs with the acquiescence or support of Israeli security forces, further exacerbating insecurity.
Turk called on Israeli authorities to repeal discriminatory laws, end unlawful settlement activity, dismantle settlements, evacuate settlers, and respect Palestinian self-determination. The report urges the international community to hold Israel accountable for human rights violations and ensure protections for Palestinians living under occupation.
