UAE- Israeli bullying does not spare even UN officials: paper

ABU DHABI 6th January 2016 (WAM) -- A UAE newspaper has said that talk of violations or brutality and Israel's name instantly comes to one's mind. In its latest disgraceful act Israel has forced the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian territories to resign by refusing to grant him access to the areas he is tasked with monitoring.

"Unfortunately my efforts to help improve the lives of Palestinian victims of violations under the Israeli occupation have been frustrated every step of the way" Makarim Wibisono said of his resignation which he has submitted to the President of the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council.

When the official assumed his post in June 2014 he was assured by Israel that he would have access to the Occupied Palestinian Territory. However his repeated requests for access both written and oral later proved to be unsuccessful.

It may be recalled that in his recent reports the UN Rapporteur voiced concerns at Israeli raids against the Hebron-based Youth Against Settlements in the occupied West Bank at the high level of clashes in the city where Palestinians live in close proximity to a large settler population and at the blockade around the Gaza strip which imposes severe restrictions on Palestinian movement imports and exports.

"The lack of effective protection of Palestinian victims from continuing human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law is a matter of serious concern" said The Gulf Today in an editorial on Wednesday.

"On the ground Israeli brutality continues unabated. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that at least 170 Palestinians were killed in 2015 by the occupying forces including over 140 during the ongoing Israeli escalation in the occupied territories. At least 15377 Palestinians were also wounded in 2015 90% of them in demonstrations and clashes in the West Bank and Al Quds occupied Jerusalem.

"That's not all. Israeli authorities demolished during the year 2015 over 535 Palestinian houses in several districts of the occupied West Bank and Al Quds. Israel should be made to realise the importance of respecting sacred sites in occupied Jerusalem. Any change in the status quo of the religious sanctities policy will have serious effects on stability in the Middle East.

"The international community should also step up efforts to rein in Israel and support the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

"A just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue is the only way that can contribute towards establishing regional and international stability" concluded the Sharjah-based daily.