UN Human Rights Chief Condemns Israel’s “Blatant Disregard” for International Law

By Boniface Ihiasota, USA

The United Nations’ human rights chief, Volker Turk, has urged nations to take action against Israel’s disregard for international law, particularly in its occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and its ongoing offensive in Gaza, Excel Magazine International reports.

Speaking at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Turk emphasized that countries must not accept Israel’s blatant disregard for international law.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in July that Israel’s occupation is illegal, directing Israel to evacuate all settlers from existing settlements.

However, Israel has rejected the opinion, calling it “fundamentally wrong” and one-sided.

The situation remains dire, with over 40,000 Palestinians killed and 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million population displaced since the Israeli offensive began in October 2023.

The US has sanctioned several Israeli individuals and groups linked to the violence in the occupied territories.

In recent developments, a 26-year-old Turkish-American woman, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, was killed during a demonstration in the West Bank, with her family calling for a US investigation.

Additionally, three Israeli men were shot dead at a border crossing between the West Bank and Jordan.