West Bank settlement expansion and violence escalate, UN warns

A United Nations report and the World Evangelical Alliance have issued warnings regarding escalating settlement activity and violence in the West Bank. The UN report, presented to the Security Council by Acting Special Coordinator Ramiz Alekperov, detailed significant increases in settlement expansion between June 13 and September 18. During this period, Israeli planning authorities advanced or approved approximately 4,570 housing units in Area C and 3,515 units in East Jerusalem.

The UN documented 630 settler attacks during the reporting period, which resulted in 11 Palestinian deaths, 430 injuries, and the displacement of 343 individuals from 17 communities. The report noted that these developments undermine the prospects for a two-state solution.

In a statement to the UN Human Rights Council, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) called on Israel to curb settler violence and halt land appropriation. The WEA highlighted the impact on Palestinian Christians, specifically noting reports of incursions, property damage, and intimidation in Taybeh, described as the territory’s last predominantly Christian village. The alliance urged for the protection of civilians and accountability for perpetrators in accordance with international law.