The 55th Session of the Human Rights Council
26 February – 5 April 2024
Agenda Item 2 – Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary General
Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner’s report on Occupied Palestinian Territory
29 February 2024
By Alessandro Ghiretti / GICJ
Executive Summary
On 29 February 2024, at its 8th meeting of the 55th regular session, the Human Rights Council held the interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Report on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (A/HRC/55/28).
The High Commissioner had been tasked with providing a report on the implementation of the Human Rights Council Resolution (A/HCR/RES/52/3), which invoked the withdrawal of Israel from the occupied territories, the cessation of all international law violations, and the prosecution of those found responsible.
The Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights centred on the recent surge in violence in the Palestinian territories. On 7 October 2023, an assault by Palestinian armed groups triggered a relentless response from Israel, which encircled Gaza in a strict siege. The Report delineated numerous violations of international humanitarian law by both parties. It highlighted how the Israeli military operations precipitated a profound humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leading to a significant loss of life, particularly among civilians, women, and children. The Report concluded by issuing recommendations to the parties to the conflict, urging compliance with international law and accountability for any transgression. Moreover, it advocated for the end of the Israeli occupation on the Palestinian territory, recognizing this as a prerequisite to achieve lasting peace and security in the Middle East.
Engaging in dialogue after the High Commissioner’s presentation, several States and international governmental and non-governmental organisations acknowledged the Palestinian people’s tremendous suffering, called for an immediate ceasefire, and the unrestricted allowance of humanitarian relief into Gaza.
The Israeli Delegate maintained that the country is at war with a terrorist organisation, citing the events of the 7 October and the death of over 12,000 innocent people by Hamas. She criticised the Report for not having adequately addressed these facts. The Delegate argued that Israel’s military operations in Gaza are necessary to eradicate terrorism and asserted the State’s commitment to respecting international humanitarian law. Introducing two survivors held captive by Hamas, she stigmatised the Report’s tone of the Report for diminishing the Israeli hostages issue. She stated that Hamas would not disarm even if the Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza, reaffirming Israel’s duty to protect its citizens.
The Palestinian Delegate dismissed such declarations as false and misleading, remarking that Palestinian civilians, including women and children, were targeted and killed without any evidence of their affiliation with or support for Hamas. He unambiguously condemned the attacks of the 7 October but expressed disappointment for the lack of similar condemnation for those responsible for the deaths of 30,000 Palestinians. He called on the international community to hold the occupying power accountable for genocide, urged economic and diplomatic countermeasures against Israel, and denounced the American support for Israel through the use of its veto power within the Security Council. The Delegate emphasised the imperative to halt the ongoing carnage in Gaza and dismantle the racist system imposed by the occupying State.
Many NGOs criticized the Report of the High Commissioner for not mentioning the term ‘genocide’, which the International Court of Justice’s findings, following a preliminary case examination, suggested is currently occurring in Gaza.
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) and other NGOs jointly condemned Israel’s violations of international law, supporting the appeal for an immediate end to the Gaza siege and the full withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian territory. The civil society organisations highlighted the deliberate nature of the punitive measures adopted by the occupying power, which have particularly affected women and children, and called for States to pressure Israel into compliance with its obligations under international law. GICJ urged the States and the Human Rights Council to act, demanded the cessation of any support to Israel, and insisted on the involvement of the United Nations Security Council to protect the Palestinians. GICJ also underscored Israel’s responsibility to cease genocide, withdraw from occupied territories, end apartheid, and recognize Palestinian self-determination, asking for justice to be delivered on perpetrators and for reparations to be granted to victims.
Background
On 3 April 2023, upon the conclusion of its 52nd session, the Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted its Resolution 52/3 concerning the ‘Human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice’.
The Resolution reaffirmed the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force and the illegality of the Israeli settlement policy and associated regime, tantamount to de facto annexation of the Palestinian land. It stressed the urgency of achieving the end of the occupation that began in 1967.
The Council expressed grave concern for the unaddressed breaches of international human rights and humanitarian law reported in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, perpetrated throughout decades of discriminatory practices. It demanded Israel cease all violations and ensure accountability, while mandating the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) to report on the implementation of the Resolution at the 55th HRC session.
The already dire situation in the Palestinian territory gravely deteriorated in the past few months.
Israel responded with unparalleled severity to the events of 7 October 2023, besieging Gaza and engaging in intense military operations that caused massive loss of civilian lives.
In relation to these latter actions, on 29 December 2023, the Republic of South Africa lodged an application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) instituting proceedings against the State of Israel for alleged violations of the Convention Against the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) and requested the indication of provisional measures. On 26 January 2024, the ICJ ruled on the preliminary request and provisionally ordered that Israel take all possible measures to prevent acts falling within the scope of the Genocide Convention. The ICJ also provisionally ordered that Israel ensure essential services and allow for humanitarian assistance to be provided to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The merit of the proceeding is currently under scrutiny.
Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice.
Pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 52/3, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) submitted its annual report on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, covering the period from 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023.
The Report recalled the long-standing occupation by Israel in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, and focused on the escalation of violence following the attacks carried out by Palestinian armed groups in southern Israel on 7 October 2023.
October 2023 escalation
The OHCHR found numerous violations of international humanitarian law by both parties to the conflict during the offensive launched by the Palestinian armed groups and in the Israeli response.
Over the course of the missiles strike and the attacks in southern Israel by the Palestinian brigades, war crimes were reportedly committed, including attacks directed against civilians, wilful killing and mistreatment of civilians, wanton destruction of civilian objects, and taking of hostages.
In response, Israel established a ‘complete siege’ on Gaza and cut-off commercial goods, fuel, electricity, food, and water supplies to the area, while blocking the in-flow of humanitarian aid. This resulted in an unprecedented humanitarian crisis for the local population, facing the spread of famine, dehydration and diseases. Such acts were described as possibly amounting to the war crimes of collective punishment and use of starvation as a method of warfare.
Given the scale of the damages to infrastructures in the Gaza Strip, caused by the Israeli aerial bombardment operations, the OHCHR expressed concern with the Israel Defence Forces’ targeting policy and its respect for the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. Data from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs showed that approximately 45 per cent of Gaza’s housing units had been destroyed or damaged. Between 7 and 31 October 2023, there was an average of about 355 documented Palestinian casualties per day.
Israel’s evacuation orders pushed a large number of Gaza residents to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer areas, which required moving in unsanitary and precarious conditions. The OHCHR observed that the forced movement of civilians contravenes the law of occupation. The United Nations recorded the displacement of over 1,4million people by 31 October 2023.
In the aftermath of the attacks, both parties indulged in threatening statements, likely amounting to hate speech and incitement to violence.
Measures of collective punishment in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem
The Report analysed a variety of measures taken by Israel against the Palestinian population in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, following the events of the 7 October, such as mass arrests, ill-treatment of the persons deprived of liberty, disproportionate and discriminatory restrictions of movement, demolition of family homes and civilian infrastructures, and closures leading to food and medical supply shortages. It concluded that these actions could singularly or cumulatively amount to collective punishment.
Unlawful killings and injuries in the context of law enforcement
The OHCHR affirmed that in several situations Israel escalated the use of lethal force against Palestinians across the occupied territory in violation of international standards on law enforcement and use of firearms, resulting in arbitrary deprivation of life. Reportedly, 338 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed by the Israeli security forces during the reporting period, 116 of which solely after the past 7 October.
Reporters observed that Israeli personnel often resorted to military means and tactics even when carrying out law enforcement operations. It found that in the majority of the monitored cases the use of force did not comply with the requirements of legality, necessity, and proportionality, amounting to violations of international human rights law.
Undue restrictions on freedoms of expression and association
The Report further addressed Israel's imposed restriction on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and association, limiting advocacy movements for Palestinian rights.
It was documented that journalists were killed in record numbers during the hostilities in Gaza since the 7 October, without anyone being held accountable.
Palestinian journalists also appeared to be subject to various forms of harassment, intimidation, and arrest under charges of ‘incitement’ or ‘terrorism’. Several Palestinian civil society organisations remained designated as ‘terrorist’ and ‘unlawful’ despite the lack of evidence thereof.
Gender-based violence
Reporters gave account of numerous cases of rape, sexual violence and abuse on women and girls during the attacks of the 7-8 October by the members of the Palestinian armed groups.
Evidence was provided of acts of ill-treatment and humiliation, even amounting to sexual violence, carried out by the Israeli security forces on arrested Palestinians.
Moreover, the OHCHR continued documenting practices of discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ persons across the Palestinian territory.
Arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment
Israel, following mass arrests after the 7 October, detained 6,704 ‘security’ inmates. Of those, 2,070 were in held administrative detention, which possibly constitutes a form of arbitrary detention, prohibited under international human rights law. 105 ‘unlawful [enemy] combatants’ were held incommunicado, with restricted access to food, water, sanitation, medical treatment, legal counselling, and family visits.
By 31 October 2023, 5 Palestinians had died in detention, while cases of torture and ill-treatment continued to be documented.
Accountability
The Report underlined that neither party had taken any step to ensure accountability for the violations committed in the hostilities and during law enforcement operations.
Conclusions and recommendations
Conclusively, the High Commissioner for Human Rights:
- condemned the violence and the discriminatory system of control enacted against the Palestinians in the occupied territories, as well as the violations of international law committed by all parties and urged the implementation of a ceasefire;
- called on the parties to the conflict to cease and repress all violations of international law, ensuring accountability;
- demanded that Israel end the occupation of the Palestinian territory;
- called upon all States and international organisations to exert their influence to ensure the respect of international law.
Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Report
On 29 February 2024, during the 8th meeting of its 55th regular session, the Human Rights Council conducted the interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ report on the ‘Human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice’ (A/HRC/55/28).
The High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk opened the presentation of his Report by highlighting the astonishing figures of the carnage occurring in Gaza: over 100,000 killed or wounded, one in every 20 children, women, and men; at least 17,000 children orphaned or separated from their families; 30,000 confirmed dead, and tens of thousands of people missing, many of whom presumed dead.
Referencing the events of the 7 and 8 October, he defined the attacks on Israeli civilians as ‘shocking’ and ‘unjustifiable’ and condemned the killings, torture, and acts of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas and the Palestinian armed groups. He advocated for the release of all hostages.
Similarly, he denounced the brutality of the Israeli response in Gaza, encompassing the killing and wounding of civilians, journalists and UN staff, and the bombing and massive destruction of houses, civilian infrastructures and hospitals. Further on, he decried the humanitarian aid restrictions that led to the displacement of three quarters of the population and plunged the whole region into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
While underscoring that violations of international humanitarian law had been committed by all parties, the High Commissioner vehemently insisted that the war in Gaza must end, and that those responsible must be brought to justice.
He reiterated that the human rights situation across the entire Palestinian territory remains dire. The Israeli occupation, soon to enter its 57th year, established a discriminatory system of control on the Palestinians, which impairs and restricts their basic rights, particularly their liberty of movement, and detrimentally impairs equality, adequate housing, health, work, education, and family life. The 16-years-long blockade of Gaza kept its population in captivity and devastated the local economy, while the settlement policy in the West Bank exposed Palestinians to harassment by the authorities and settlers’ violence.
Mr. Türk recalled that under Art. 1 Common to the Geneva Conventions all States must respect and ‘ensure respect’ for international humanitarian law, and thus called upon the entire international community to halt the transfer of arms to Israel.
He described the alarming consequences of the siege imposed on Gaza, including how the interruption of food, aid, fuel, and electricity supply channels left the population without drinkable water, in unsanitary conditions, and at risk of famine. The embargo was deemed a measure amounting to collective punishment and the use of starvation as a method of warfare, both constituting war crimes. Lastly, the conditions of thousands of Palestinian detainees, held incommunicado, were characterised as tantamount to enforced disappearance.
The High Commissioner then turned to address the most recent developments in the Gaza crisis, which were not covered in the Report given its limited temporal scope. He referred to the looming Israeli assault on Rafah, warning that further military operations would irreversibly compromise an already tragic scenario. Considering that Rafah stood as Gaza’s biggest humanitarian hub and provided shelter to over 1,5 million people, Mr. Türk expressed that a ground attack on the city, with the associated risks of significant loss of life and further displacements, would violate the ICJ Order on provisional measures of 26 January 2024. Again, he called on all States to act and exert their influence on the parties to the conflict in order to prevent such an outcome.
With respect to the West Bank, the High Commissioner highlighted several episodes of violence and other breaches of obligations under international human rights law by Israel, including the disproportionate use of lethal force culminating in unlawful and extrajudicial killings, as well as practices amounting to arbitrary detention. The Office confirmed the death of 401 Palestinians from 7 October 2023, 102 of whom were children. About 9,000 Palestinians were detained as security prisoners, many of whom were held in administrative detention or even incommunicado.
In conclusion, the High Commissioner for Human Rights remarked that the international community needs to cooperate to restore stability in the Palestinian territory, and that peace can be achieved only through the end of the Israeli occupation, with the mutual recognition of the right of the Palestinians to live in an independent State and the right of Israel to exist in safety.
Mr. Türk then called for the cessation of the hostilities, an immediate ceasefire, and the release of the hostages and of those arbitrarily detained, urging accountability for international law violations. He also renewed his Office’s request for full access in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which he said was necessary to proceed with effective investigations into human rights abuses.
Finally, the High Commissioner expressed hope for achieving peace between Israel and Palestine through reciprocal recognition of the rights of both people. He called upon all States and United Nations Mechanisms to take a stance against worldwide trends of power politics that threaten international law and its Institutions.
The Israeli Delegate, Ms. Meirav Eilon Shahar, declared that Israel is at war with a terrorist organisation capable of the most heinous crimes, which escalated to their highest levels on 7 October 2023. She complained about the scarce references to those events in the High Commissioner’s Report and statement.
The Delegate argued that Israel has no choice but to battle Hamas in Gaza. She nevertheless reiterated that Israel is committed to operating in conformity with international humanitarian law, underlying how the security forces consistently release early warnings before attacks, strictly respect distinction, proportionality, and precaution, and facilitate humanitarian aid. In reality, these measures and warnings have consistently failed to protect the lives of Palestinian civilians, and have in fact put them in them in increasingly dangerous positions.
The Palestinian Delegate, Mr. Ibrahim Khraishi, observed that many of the Report’s assumptions were based on unverified Israeli declarations. He expressed the Palestinian authorities’ willingness to further collaborate with the Office of the High Commissioner to consolidate the human rights framework in the country.
The Representative subsequently suggested that the Israeli Delegate’s remarks came from a misleading and abused narrative. Responding to the statement of the Representative of the occupying power, he inquired about whether the Palestinian civilians bombarded in Arashi while awaiting humanitarian aid had been identified as members of Hamas or positioned as human shields.
Mr. Khraishi then underscored how imperative it was to end the genocide unfolding in Gaza. He strongly condemned the events of the 7 October, expressing regret that a similar condemnation from the international community did not seem to extend to those responsible for the deaths of 30,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children.
The Delegate called on all States and international organisations to hold the occupying power accountable for genocide and to exert efforts to ensure its compliance with international obligations and the ICJ’s Order to prevent an attack and potential massacre in Rafah.
He characterised as ‘shameful’ the American support to Israel through the transfer of weapons, the financing, and the use of the veto power within the Security Council, preventing the adoption of a resolution for a permanent ceasefire.
Finally, Mr. Khraishi urged all States to join in implementing economic and diplomatic countermeasures and enforce punitive sanctions on Israel, as the sole means to halt the ongoing genocide and dismantle the racist system imposed throughout the occupation.
The Delegate of Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) highlighted how the Report delineated numerous violations of international law by Israel, suggesting that many more could be found if Israel did not deny cooperation with the OHCHR. On behalf of the OIC group, he condemned the Israeli military’s criminal aggression, and called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire allowing the entry of all aid into Gaza. He affirmed support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and for the realisation of an independent State of Palestine on the borders of 4 June 1967 with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) as its capital.
The Delegate of Qatar on behalf of the Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf agreed with the Report’s conclusions and denounced the horrors of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, the indiscriminate shelling, the forced displacement of civilians, the use of starvation as a tactic of warfare, and all other violations of international humanitarian law. She reiterated the call to the international community to deliver justice to oppressed Palestinians by resolving their cause in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative, with the establishment of the independent and internationally recognized State of Palestine on the borders of 4 June 1967 with Jerusalem as its capital.
The Delegate of the European Union expressed concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza and joined the call for a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds. She condemned the terrorist attacks by Hamas and the acts of sexual and gender-based violence and affirmed the right of Israel to defend itself in strict compliance with the rules of international humanitarian law. On behalf of the European Union, she noted the Order on provisional measures of the ICJ and urged all parties to respect international law. The Representative reasserted the European Union’s stance to achieve a two-States solution, as well as the commitment of its member States and institutions to support a political process in that direction.
The Delegate of Venezuela on behalf of a group of countries emphasised how, for over four months, Israel has carried out an illegal aggression in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the massacre of thousands of innocent civilians and a humanitarian catastrophe. In underscoring the importance of an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid, he stated that Israel’s continued ground military operations violate the provisional measures of the International Court of Justice. Finally, he expressed hope for a solution that can restore an independent and sovereign state to the Palestinian people, realising their right to self-determination.
The Delegate of Egypt on behalf of the Arab Group condemned the continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory and the ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip. He called for an immediate ceasefire and the lifting of the blockade on Gaza in compliance with the Order on provisional measures of the International Court of Justice. He contended that the crimes committed by the occupying power and those attributable to individuals subject to an oppressive regime cannot be equated.
The Delegate of Gambia on behalf of the Group of African States declared the support of the African Group for the historic struggle of the Palestinian people, based on a common ground of opposition to colonialism and oppression. He called on Israel to abide by the Order on provisional measures of the International Court of Justice and to embrace the proposals for a permanent ceasefire in the interest of peace and stability in the Middle East. Finally, the representative advocated for the implementation of the two-States solution and the establishment of an independent State of Palestine based on the June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Delegate of Finland on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic States commended the work of the High Commissioner and the outcome of the Report, while expressing concern for the suffering of civilians in Gaza. She condemned the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas against the civilian population and, addressing Israel as well, reiterated the importance of ensuring protection of civilians in all circumstances under international humanitarian law. The Representative underlined the importance of preventing further operations in Rafah and achieving a humanitarian ceasefire, with the goal of implementing a two-States solution where Israeli and Palestinians can co-exist peacefully.
The Delegate of Jordan condemned the aggression suffered by the Palestinian people and Israel’s serious violations of international humanitarian law. He requested the Council pressure the Israeli authorities into allowing international experts full access to the Palestinian territories to carry out thorough investigations.
The Delegate of South Africa conveyed solidarity with the Palestinian people, acknowledging them as victims of genocide, and decried the silence exhibited by numerous States. He emphasised that no one is above the law and that international law must be applied equally and uniformly to maintain its credibility. He stated that for this reason South Africa initiated proceedings before the ICJ and condemned Israel’s subsequent actions as violations of the order on provisional measures.
The Delegate of the United States of America deemed the loss of civilian lives in the conflict a tragic circumstance. She condemned the terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas and affirmed the United States’ commitment to the release of hostages. The Representative restated Israel’s inherent right to self-defence, circumscribed by the parameters of international humanitarian law, and urged Israel to spare and protect civilians and prevent further casualties in Gaza. Finally, she conveyed the stance of President Biden, who envisions a two-States solution to balance Israel's existence and security with the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
A large number of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) expressed severe concern over the humanitarian crisis taking place in Gaza and invoked the need for an immediate ceasefire together with the unconditional allowance of humanitarian aid into the besieged areas.
Many condemned the slaughter of civilians on the entire Palestinians territory and renewed the demand that Israel abide by the Order of provisional measures of the ICJ and refrain from conducting further military operations in Rafah, as such actions would aggravate the count of the dead, injured, and displaced. Some criticised the Report of the High Commissioner for its lenient wording, particularly for the exclusion of the term ‘genocide’ from its text, and stigmatised Israel’s system of apartheid and the illegal, colonialist practices of its settlers in the West Bank.
Concluding Remarks
After the interventions of the delegates of the States and representatives of NGOs were concluded, the delegate of Palestine requested the floor again. Mr. Khraishi then contested the statements of several States, clarifying that Israel’s military response cannot be qualified as self-defence within the scope of Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. Additionally, he emphasised that allowing humanitarian aid in the controlled areas is a specific obligation of the occupying power, as stipulated by the Geneva Conventions. He also drew attention to the 9,000 Palestinians held prisoner by Israel, who are unlawfully prevented from receiving the visits of the International Committee of the Red Cross personnel.
He again stressed the need for a ceasefire and Israel’s duty to abide by the ICJ’s provisional measures. He concluded by embracing the two-States solution, while underscoring that it presupposes the recognition of the State of Palestine and the end of the occupation.
The Delegate of Israel objected that the rules and procedure of the Human Rights Council do not admit a round of responses and took note of the President’s decision to allow the Palestinian representative additional time.
The President of the Human Rights Council reclaimed his decision to foster a frank debate on a situation of the utmost urgency.
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) Position
GICJ delivered an oral statement, jointly with other NGOs, condemning Israel’s violations of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law, and supporting the calls for the immediate lift of the siege on Gaza and the end of the occupation of the Palestinian territory in its entirety.
GICJ underscored that the restrictions on aid and measures of relief for the population “have been imposed deliberately and punitively as a form of collective punishment on Gazans and as a tactic to displace people” and reminded that women and children are particularly vulnerable and disproportionately affected by the consequences of the attacks.
It urged all States, as well as the Human Rights Council and its Mechanisms, to exert their influence and apply all forms of pressure on Israel to end the occupation and guarantee the human rights of the Palestinian people. It underlined the pivotal importance of holding the perpetrator of international crimes accountable.
GICJ, referring to the recent appeals by United Nations experts, Special Rapporteurs, and Working Groups, stresses that it is a duty incumbent on the international community at large to take action to end the ongoing crisis and prevent further loss of life. It calls on the States to abstain from supporting Israel financially and especially through the transfer of arms, which in itself constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law.
The Organization demands that the Security Council of the United Nations overcome any political deadlock and adopt, through binding resolutions, the most suitable and effective measures to protect the Palestinian people.
Geneva International Centre for Justice strongly reaffirms that Israel must at once stop the genocide, withdraw from the territories illegally occupied by military force, put an end to the regime of apartheid there established, and recognise and uphold the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people. All those responsible for these acts, which are contrary to the most elementary considerations of humanity, must be brought to justice, and all victims must be awarded due reparation in the most appropriate form.
