Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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February 11, 2026 International law
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Wednesday called on Israel to reverse recent measures aimed at expanding its control over Palestinian territories in the occupied West Bank.
"This is yet another step by the Israeli authorities to make the creation of a viable Palestinian state impossible, which violates the Palestinian people's right to self-determination," he said.
According to Türk, if these decisions are implemented, “they will undoubtedly accelerate the dispossession and forced displacement of Palestinians, and will also lead to the creation of new illegal Israeli settlements.”
In turn, this will “further deprive Palestinians of their natural resources and limit their enjoyment of other human rights.”
Expanding control over land
On February 8, the Israeli security cabinet approved a package of measures, which provides for the expansion of Israeli civil powers in areas A and B of the West Bank, which make up about 40 percent of the territory.
Some of these powers, according to the Oslo Accords signed by the Israeli and Palestinian leadership in the 1990s, fall within the purview of the Palestinian Authority.
The new measures include a change in legislation that will allow Israeli authorities and private individuals to acquire land in Areas A and B, in violation of occupation law.
"This will further strengthen Israel's control and the integration of the occupied West Bank into Israel, cementing the illegal annexation," Türk stressed.
Violation of cultural rights
The decisions also strip the Palestinian Authority of planning and construction authority in parts of Hebron in the southern West Bank, including the Ibrahimi Mosque – known in Judaism as the “Cave of the Patriarchs” and a sacred site for followers of Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
In addition, Israel will establish administrative control over another holy site – Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem – in order to accelerate settlement expansion.
"This violates not only the land rights of Palestinians, but also their cultural rights to places of special significance," the High Commissioner said.
"The decisions must be reversed."
Türk noted that the new steps come amid a broader picture – increasing attacks by Israeli settlers and security forces against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, as well as forced displacements, evictions, home demolitions, land seizures and restrictions on freedom of movement, among other documented violations.
"We are witnessing rapid steps to irreversibly change the demography of the occupied Palestinian territory, dispossess its people of their land and force them to leave," he said.
"This is accompanied by rhetoric and actions by senior Israeli officials and violates Israel's obligations as an occupying power to preserve the existing legal order and social fabric. These decisions must be reversed," Türk added.
The High Commissioner called for the evacuation of all settlements and an immediate end to the Israeli occupation.
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