A/HRC/37/43
Over the course of approximately an hour, the settlers stripped him naked and dragged him
over a hillside. A shepherd found him two hours later, unconscious and bruised. Even
though a complaint was filed, the investigation was soon closed by the police given that the
perpetrators remained unidentified.
E.
Discriminatory law enforcement
22.
Since the Abu Rajab house was occupied in the H2 area of Hebron on 25 July 2017,
the area has witnessed an increase in settler presence and specific incidents of settler
violence. According to monitoring by OHCHR, the week after the settlers took over the
house, 12 Palestinians were injured by settlers. On 4 August 2017, OHCHR documented a
group of settlers throwing stones at Palestinians along the road between Kiryat Arba
settlement and the Abu Rajab house; two Palestinians sustained head injuries, and one had
a broken hand. According to witnesses, Israeli Security Forces did not intervene to protect
the two injured Palestinians, but arrested them, without first ensuring their access to
medical assistance. The Palestinians were released an hour later, then transferred to a
Palestinian ambulance. According to monitoring by OHCHR, on 9 September 2017, settlers
attacked a 55-year-old Palestinian woman living in the Abu Rajab house while she was in
the courtyard. Witnesses stated that settlers threw stones from the roof of the three-story
building, hitting the woman twice on the head; she was subsequently hospitalized.
Although the family filed a complaint with the police, as at November 2017, OHCHR was
not aware of any developments in the case.
23.
As the occupying Power, Israel has the obligation to uphold public order and safety
in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and to protect the Palestinian population from all acts
of violence.17 Israel also has the obligation to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate,
prosecute, punish and remedy any harm caused to Palestinians (A/HRC/34/38, paras.13,
36-37). It is common, however, for the Israeli Security Forces neither to prevent incidents
nor to react to attacks occurring in their presence (A/72/564, paras. 20-22). Israel has also
repeatedly failed in its obligation to do its utmost to investigate cases of settler violence and
prosecute perpetrators. Settler violence impedes the enjoyment of numerous human rights
by the Palestinian population affected (A/71/355, para. 50; A/HRC/34/38, para. 36).
F.
Impact of settlements on Palestinian communities at risk of forcible
transfer
24.
The publicly stated intention of the Government of Israel to relocate thousands of
Palestinians residing in Area C remains a key concern, as well as a source of pressure
contributing to a coercive environment (A/HRC/34/39, para. 44; A/72/564, paras. 36-57).
Some 7,500 persons belonging to 46 Bedouin communities, mostly refugees, are at
particular risk. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
during the period under review, 488 Palestinian-owned structures were demolished,
including 319 in Area C, in the West Bank, causing the displacement of 684 people
(including 414 in Area C), including 383 children (236 children in Area C).
25.
On 24 September 2017, the Israeli Civil Administration informed the community of
Khan al Ahmar that it would be relocated by mid-2018. Around 140 Palestinians live in this
severely underserviced village in the Jerusalem periphery and are at risk of forcible
transfer. In September, the Minister of Defence of Israel warned that plans to demolish
Susya, a Palestinian village located in Area C and the target of multiple demolitions in the
past, were proceeding.18
17
18
6
Regulations respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land (Hague Regulations), arts.43 and 46;
Fourth Geneva Convention, art. 27.
Yotam Berger, “After heavy diplomatic pressure, Israel moves to delay demolition of Palestinian
village of Sussia”, Haaretz, 2 November 2017.
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