A/HRC/25/38 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 22/26, the Human Rights Council affirmed that Israeli settlements and activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, were illegal under international law and constituted very serious violations of international humanitarian law and of the human rights of the Palestinian people therein, and undermined international efforts aimed at invigorating the peace process and the realization of a two-State solution. Furthermore, the Council expressed grave concern at the continuing Israeli settlement and related activities, including the expansion of settlements, the expropriation of land, the demolition of houses, and the confiscation and destruction of property, which changed the physical character and demographic composition of the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem and the occupied Syrian Golan. The Council called upon Israel to take and implement serious measures, including confiscation of arms and enforcement of criminal sanctions, with the aim of preventing acts of violence by Israeli settlers, and other measures to guarantee the safety and protection of Palestinian civilians and Palestinian properties in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. 2. The present report addresses progress made in the implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 22/26 during the reporting period, from 22 March 2013 to 30 October 2013. Important information from November 2013 is included in instances where it is particularly relevant. The information contained in the report is based on monitoring and other information-gathering activities carried out by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and information provided by other United Nations entities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The report also contains information received from Israeli and Palestinian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and media sources. It should be read in conjunction with previous reports of the Secretary-General on Israeli settlements.1 3. Previous reports outlined continuing Israeli settlement activities (A/HRC/20/13) and analysed various elements of the impact of Israeli settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and settler violence on the human rights of Palestinians. The most recent report to the General Assembly (A/68/513) focused on the leading role played by the Government of Israel in the creation and expansion of settlements and the impact of such actions and of related legislation and public policies, on Palestinians’ human rights. The present report also addresses the expansion of settlements during the reporting period, as relevant to the Council’s call (see para. 1 above) in resolution 22/26, with particular attention to paragraphs 3 and 5. The report further complements the analysis in the Secretary-General’s report to the General Assembly on Israeli settlements (A/68/513) by focusing on Israeli planning policy in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the impact thereof on the human rights of Palestinians. Moreover, the report considers the impact of Israeli settlements and settler violence on the economic and social rights of Palestinians. Finally, in relation to paragraph 6 of resolution 22/26, the report provides an update on violent acts committed by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property, and stresses the lack of law enforcement and accountability in relation to such acts. II. Legal background 4. Israel, as the occupying Power in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, is bound by international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including as contained 1 A/HRC/20/13, A/68/513, A/67/375, A/66/364, A/65/365, A/64/516 and A/63/519. 3