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UN PhotoOHCHR / ISRAEL RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
STORY: OHCHR / ISRAEL RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
TRT: 01:39
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 07 JANUARY 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / PRE-RECORDED ON 02 JANUARY 2026
SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“Systemic discrimination against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is a long-standing concern, spanning decades, and the situation has drastically deteriorated since at least December 2022. Israeli authorities treat Israeli settlers and Palestinians residing in the West Bank under two distinct bodies of law and policies, resulting in unequal treatment on a range of critical issues. There is a systematic asphyxiation of the rights of Palestinians in the West Bank. Whether accessing water, school, rushing to hospital, visiting family or friends, harvesting olives – every aspect of life for Palestinians in the West Bank is controlled and curtailed by Israel’s discriminatory laws, policies and practices. Israel is violating international law requiring States to prohibit and eradicate racial segregation and apartheid. Every negative trend documented in the report has not only continued but accelerated. And every day that this is allowed to continue, the consequences worsen for Palestinians. The Israeli authorities must repeal all laws, policies and practices that perpetuate discrimination against Palestinians based on race, religion or ethnic origin. I call on the Israeli authorities to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including by dismantling all settlements and evacuating all settlers. The Israeli authorities must respect the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.”
In a recorded statement in Geneva, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk made the following remarks on the release of a comprehensive UN Human Rights Office report which details the asphyxiating impact of Israel’s laws, policies and practices on every aspect of daily life for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The report warns that Israel is violating international law requiring States to prohibit and eradicate racial segregation and apartheid.
“Systemic discrimination against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is a long-standing concern, spanning decades, and the situation has drastically deteriorated since at least December 2022.
Israeli authorities treat Israeli settlers and Palestinians residing in the West Bank under two distinct bodies of law and policies, resulting in unequal treatment on a range of critical issues.
There is a systematic asphyxiation of the rights of Palestinians in the West Bank. Whether accessing water, school, rushing to hospital, visiting family or friends, harvesting olives – every aspect of life for Palestinians in the West Bank is controlled and curtailed by Israel’s discriminatory laws, policies and practices.
Israel is violating international law requiring States to prohibit and eradicate racial segregation and apartheid.
Every negative trend documented in the report has not only continued but accelerated. And every day that this is allowed to continue, the consequences worsen for Palestinians.
The Israeli authorities must repeal all laws, policies and practices that perpetuate discrimination against Palestinians based on race, religion or ethnic origin.
I call on the Israeli authorities to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including by dismantling all settlements and evacuating all settlers.
The Israeli authorities must respect the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination,” Türk said.
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