A/HRC/31/73 IV. Selected universal periodic review recommendations to Israel and broad continuing human rights concerns 29. In October 2013, Israel underwent its second universal periodic review (see A/HRC/25/15). While over 200 recommendations were made, the Special Rapporteur will, as is appropriate, limit his consideration to those regarding the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. 30. In March 2014, Israel submitted its responses to the recommendations in an addendum (A/HRC/25/15/Add.1) containing the Government’s official responses to the recommendations, and an annex in which Israel provided its responses to recommendations that it considered beyond the scope of the universal periodic review owing to their focus on international humanitarian law.30 In the annex, the Government of Israel questioned “the relevance of examining matters which are governed by international humanitarian law in the context of a human rights review”, stating that “the applicability of human rights conventions to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has been subject of considerable debate over the past years”.31 The Special Rapporteur refers to the determination of the International Court of Justice that international humanitarian law and human rights law apply in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.32 31. The Special Rapporteur notes the stated support of Israel for the following broad recommendations pertaining to its respect for international law: comply with its legal obligations under international law alongside its obligations deriving from international human rights treaties to which Israel is a party; abide by its international legal obligations, including those under the Fourth Geneva Convention; and strengthen its cooperation with international human rights mechanisms, in particular with the Human Rights Council (see A/HRC/25/15, paras. 136.46, 136.47 and 136.37, and A/HRC/25/15/Add.1, para. 13). Regrettably, however, the Government of Israel rejected many recommendations on settlements, the blockade, Palestinian prisoners and detainees and accountability. These are critical areas to address in order to improve the situation of ongoing violations under the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza. A. Settlements 32. Most of the human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are linked to the existence and expansion of settlements. Such violations relate to home demolitions and the consequent displacement, discriminatory supply of water and provision of access to land, movement restrictions, settler violence and the discriminatory military court system which Israel applies to Palestinians. The Special Rapporteur deeply regrets that Israel rejected the following recommendations related to settlements: stop the transfer of its population to the occupied territory and put an end to all measures that encourage or perpetuate the settlements; guarantee the right to housing of the Palestinians in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem, stopping the demolition of 30 31 32 10 For the purposes of this discussion the Special Rapporteur recognizes the unofficial status of responses provided by Israel in the annex, but as they represent an expression by Israel on particular areas, he will consider the support of Israel for recommendations as noted in both the addendum and in the annex. The annex is available from the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, at www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/ILSession15.aspx. Legal Consequences of the construction of a wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Advisory Opinion, I.C.J. Reports 2004, p. 136.