A/HRC/25/15 Israel took significant steps to promote the standards of living of Palestinians and cooperated with the Palestinian Authority, which had the responsibility for the vast majority of the Palestinian population. The United Nations Development Programme development index showed that the Palestinian Authority was above the regional average. 63. Israel was also working to improve the movement of people and goods in the West Bank. Currently there were only a few checkpoints in place, which were normally open. 64. Responding to an advance question by Mexico and Slovenia, the delegation stated that, as enshrined in the declaration of independence and in many basic laws and court rulings, equality and non-discrimination was the cornerstone of Israel’s democratic society. 65. In response to another question by Norway, the delegate noted that, as of August 2013, 126 of 133 localities with a predominantly Arab population had approved outline plans. 66. Referring to a question on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA), the delegate said that both had supervising mechanisms. Regarding a question from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Netherlands, he noted that the IDF had established a system to investigate and pursue allegations of misconduct. The Attorney General provided civilian oversight for any decision of the Military Advocate General on whether or not to investigate or indict a person suspected of war crimes and other crimes. 67. Responding to questions from Sweden, the Russian Federation, Spain and other countries, Mr. Nitzan noted that administrative detention was a lawful security measure under international law. It was used as a preventive measure against persons who posed grave threats to the security of the West Bank and Israel and its population. 68. Another issue that had been raised by several countries, including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Russian Federation, Spain and Portugal, was connected to claims of torture by the ISA. The ISA was responsible by law for the protection of Israel’s security against terrorist threats, espionage and other threats. The ISA operated in accordance with the ruling of the High Court of Justice, and especially the ruling from 1999 concerning ISA interrogations, forbidding any use of physical pressure. 69. The prohibition of torture, as an offence, had not been legislated yet in Israel, however, acts and behaviours defined as torture under article 1 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment constituted offences under the Penal Code. 70. Hila Tene-Gilad, Director, Human Rights and Relations with International Organizations, Ministry of Justice, addressed questions raised by Germany, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Netherlands, as well as additional questions by Switzerland and the United States of America. 71. The issue of the Bedouin population in the Negev presented a great challenge to Israel in many aspects. With regard to planning, 18 Bedouin localities had approved outline plans, and the planning procedures of six additional localities were ongoing. The Government of Israel was encouraging movement to regulated localities by providing financial benefits. Following the report of the Goldberg Committee, the governmental plan for regulation of Bedouin housing in the Negev had been submitted. The Government had resolved to anchor the implementation framework in legislation, a process carried out in consultation and cooperation with the Bedouin population. 72. Nir Keidar, International Law Department, Israel Defense Forces, addressed the issue of law enforcement regarding Palestinian minors in the West Bank, which had been 8