A/HRC/28/44
Between 1 November 2013 and 27 October 2014, 207 Palestinians were recorded as injured
in settler-related incidents, including 88 by settlers themselves and 119 by Israeli security
forces. According to information received from OHCHR, five Palestinian fatalities were
recorded in settler-related incidents, including three killed by Israeli security forces and two
by Israeli settlers. During the same period, six Israelis were reportedly killed and 62 injured
by Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (see also paras. 52-53 below).
41.
In this context, Israel has repeatedly failed to prevent or halt attacks on Palestinians
as it is obliged to do under international law. 65 This failure is underpinned by a longstanding lack of accountability in cases involving settlers, whether in relation to physical
assaults or attacks on Palestinian property (see table below). As stated in previous reports,
Israel has an obligation to bring perpetrators to justice under international human rights law
(A/HRC/25/38, para. 38 and A/68/513, paras. 42-52), as a key component of ensuring
protection, justice for victims and non-repetition of similar incidents.
Impact of settler violence: 2009-2014 (January to September)
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Incidents resulting in
casualties
37
55
105
71
79
88
Injuries caused by settlers
106
76
144
115
121
142
Injured caused by Israeli
security forces
49
204
95
42
172
79
Incidents resulting in property
damage
69
145
232
183
240
166
Trees/saplings destroyed or
damaged
2 075
3 910
8 033
6 565
8 615
7 342
Source: Protection Cluster in the occupied Palestinian Territory (October 2014)
B.
Cases of settler violence
42.
Incidents of settler violence against Palestinians and their property continued
throughout the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The kidnapping and murder of three
Israeli teenagers, Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad Shaer and Eyal Yifrah, near Hebron in June 2014
sparked a wave of racist attacks by Israelis, including settlers, on Palestinians, particularly
in East and West Jerusalem but also across the West Bank. This culminated in the
abduction and murder by Israelis, including one settler, of Palestinian teenager Mohammad
Abu Khdeir from East Jerusalem, which in turn sparked violence by Palestinians against
Israelis (see A/HRC/28/80/Add.1).
43.
Such cases recorded in Jerusalem included physical attacks, “price tag” hits (see
A/HRC/25/38, para. 47) and damage to property. The attacks were perpetrated by both
settlers and other Israelis, but were all part of an increase in attacks in Jerusalem during the
period under review. In one case monitored by OHCHR, on 10 February 2014, several cars
65
Israel has a positive obligation to protect Palestinians from settler violence and, as the occupying
Power, also the obligation to maintain public order and safety in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
including by providing Palestinians with all the guarantees accorded to protected persons under
international humanitarian law. Fourth Geneva Convention, in particular, arts. 4 and 27;
CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.13, para.8, and Hague Regulations, art. 43.
13
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