United Nations Experts Condemn Israel

In March 2026, a group of 18 United Nations human rights experts issued a formal condemnation of what they describe as Israel's accelerating campaign of ethnic cleansing and annexation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The statement highlights the forced displacement of Palestinian communities and escalating violence carried out by both Israeli security forces and settler groups, with experts warning that entire communities are living in fear of what they call settler terrorism operating across the region day and night.

The experts detailed a pattern of coordinated attacks including the destruction of homes, vehicles, livestock, water infrastructure and agricultural land, as well as reports of sexual abuse of Palestinian men, women and children by settlers. Between February 3rd and 16th alone, at least 86 settler attacks were recorded across 60 communities. A March 3rd raid on the village of Qaryut resulted in two Palestinian deaths, with ambulances blocked from reaching the injured for over an hour due to Israeli military closures.

The experts stated that arms and vehicles have been provided to settler groups, suggesting Israeli authorities are deliberately using settlers to carry out the groundwork of ethnic cleansing policy. They called on member states to bring the occupation to an end in compliance with a 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion, expressing frustration that the international community has so far failed to act, which they argue has emboldened further atrocities against Palestinians.

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