UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / 02 July 2008 -- Recent weeks have seen a resurgence of violence on the border between Israel and Palestine. In one incident, a man on a tractor struck a number of people, as well as some automobiles. In another, rockets have been sent from Israel into the West Bank.

A group of UN nations investigators, the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, has just returned from a trip to Palestine, including Gaza, and then to Jordan, Egypt, and Syria. The three team members report having been told of humanitarian violations in the areas of Palestine occupied by Israel.

Particularly noted were the negative consequences of the wall built between Israel and Palestine , the burgeoning of Israel settlements into Palestinian territory, and the treatment of Palestinians who are being by the Israeli authorities, including the use of torture. They also said that they had heard from those they interviewed that the economy of the area faced “strangulation.”

The Committee made clear that, “Such policies and practices affecting Palestinian people are a serious threat to the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and must be halted immediately.” It also condemned a proposed Israeli Law that would keep Palestinians from receiving any reimbursement for damage caused by the IDF, even when unrelated to a military initiative.

Gaza has frequently been affected by restrictions on crossing of the border that has stopped people from moving between the two nations and prevented goods from entering Palestine and led to severe and dangerous food shortages, such as occurred earlier this year. Constraints on bringing in water and medical supplies have also proved problematic and created deficits in sanitation and health care. These issues have had a domino effect on almost all aspects of life within the occupied areas.

Ban Ki-Moon has reproached both sides for the renewed violence, including a strike that today killed several people in Jerusalem and hurt many others. The Secretary-General said he “wishes those injured a speedy recovery” and conveyed his sympathy to the relatives of all the victims.

The Secretary-General has made clear that it is unacceptable for Israeli settlers to continue to launch rockets targeting Burin, a West Bank village, and told that international community that “[h]e calls on Israel to impose law and order and ensure the protection of the Palestinian population under occupation.”

No solution will come out of this continued fighting and, in the meantime, millions, including many children, must suffer the consequences.

Labels: United Nations, U.N., MaximsNews

 

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