UN rights chief calls on states to challenge Israel over ‘occupation’

By Agencies 9 September 2024, 12:19 pm

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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, presents a global update on human rights in the world, during the opening of the 57th session of the Human Rights Council at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

The UN human rights chief says that ending the nearly yearlong war in Gaza is a priority and asked countries to act on what he called Israel’s “blatant disregard” for international law in the Strip and the West Bank.

“States must not – cannot – accept blatant disregard for international law, including binding decisions of the (UN) Security Council and orders of the International Court of Justice, neither in this nor any other situation,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a speech at the opening of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

He cited an opinion released by the UN top court in July that called Israel’s “occupation” illegal and said this situation must be “comprehensively addressed.” Israel has rejected the opinion.