UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stated Friday, February 4, 2023 that recent measures taken by the far-right Israeli extremist government are only escalating further violations and abuses of human rights.

Turk stressed in a press statement that he fears that recent measures taken by the Government of Israel are only fuelling further violations and abuses of human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law.

Turk added that last year saw an obvious rise in the numbers of Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank,  including East Jerusalem. Already this year, more bloodshed and more destruction were seen as the situation continues to grow more volatile.

New measures of collective punishment, including punitive forced evictions and systematic house demolitions are prohibited under international humanitarian law and are incompatible with international human rights law provisions,” Turk continued.

The High Commissioner called for urgent measures to de-escalate tensions, including ensuring that killings and serious injuries are investigated in accordance with international standards.