Beirut, 24 July 2019 (ESCWA)--In a periodic report, the United Nations reiterated the illegality of a number of Israeli policies and practices in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, some of which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Such policies and practices include discrimination, collective punishment, forcible transfer, and the excessive and unlawful use of force. The blockade of Gaza, the killing of demonstrators and settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are examples of these policies. The report also reiterated the illegality of Israel's annexation of the occupied Syrian Golan and Israel's violations of the rights of and discrimination against Syrian citizens.
 
The report concluded that the cumulative impact of the Israeli occupation and practices is multi-layered and affects all aspects of life in the occupied territories, and that it is almost impossible to achieve sustainable development under the current conditions. The report also reaffirmed the position of the United Nations that there is no alternative to adherence to international law and the lack of impunity for peace and justice for all peoples of the region.
 
These issues, among others were covered by the Note of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan. The note was prepared by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and covers the period from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019. The memorandum reviewed Israeli policies and practices in the Palestinian and Syrian territories occupied since 1967 and their economic and social repercussions on the Palestinians and the Syrians.
 
The Director of the ESCWA Emerging and Conflict Related Issues Division, Mr. Tarik Alami, presented the report to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York on 23 July 2019. Representatives of member States of the Council as well as representatives of the State of Palestine and the Syrian Arab Republic discussed the report and proposed a resolution in this regard. The report will be presented again to the United Nations General Assembly in November 2019.
 
 

 
For more information:
-Ms Rania Harb, Public Information Assistant, +961-70-008-879; email: harb1@un.org
-Ms Maryam Sleiman, Public Information Assistant, +9611978815, email: sleiman2@un.org