UN commission finds both Israel and Palestinian Authority guilty of rights violations

The Foreign Affairs Ministry criticized the UN report as propaganda, but the commission found both Israel and the Palestinian Authority guilty of human rights violations. The report from the United Nations accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the West Bank and Gaza, while also citing wrongdoings by the Palestinian Authority, including arbitrary arrests, detention, torture, and the targeting of journalists, activists, and human rights defenders. In contrast, Hamas was named only twice in the report, and neither mention accused it of committing a crime or other wrongdoing. The UN reported an increase in Palestinian deaths in the West Bank, with almost 500 killed annually since 2022, the highest numbers recorded since the UN started collecting data in 2005. The report also claimed Israel is continuing to commit “genocidal acts” with the “intent to destroy the Palestinian people, in whole or in part” in spite of a ceasefire agreement that went into effect in October 2025. The report focused on Palestinian casualties in the West Bank due to Israeli military action and settler violence, as well as analysis of elected MKs and senior military officials.

image_prompt

A photorealistic news photo scene showing a United Nations building with dark clouds in the sky, symbolizing the tension and conflict over human rights violations in the West Bank and Gaza.

The commission found that the Palestinian Authority had suppressed political dissent through arbitrary arrests, detention, torture, and the targeting of journalists, activists, and human rights defenders. It cited reports of excessive force during West Bank protests in October 2023, when at least two men, a boy, and a girl were killed in Ramallah, Tubas, and Jenin. The PA accepted responsibility for the death of the boy, who was run over by a security forces vehicle during clashes with protesters. The Commission also investigated the December 2024 killing of a Palestinian journalism student in Jenin refugee camp who had documented alleged abuses by Palestinian security forces. Witnesses said a security force member had threatened to shoot her the previous day. She was killed by a single shot to the neck near her home. The report said information conflicted on whether clashes were underway at the time. Palestinian security forces had a significant presence in the area, and their spokesman blamed the killing on “outlaws,” saying the case was under investigation. The Commission said key witnesses had not been asked to testify. It also reported cases of arbitrary detention, including instances in which the PA allegedly ignored court orders for detainees' release.

The commission found that the Palestinian Authority had violated the right to life and the right to security of person and had failed to conduct prompt, effective, and impartial investigations into killings or provide effective remedies to victims and their families.