UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, stated on Sunday that “violent settlers” in the occupied Palestinian lands must be held accountable.
In a post on her X account, Albanese highlighted that one outcome of the advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice is that United Nations member states might now be obligated to disclose a list of their citizens residing in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly those who commit crimes against the inhabitants of unlawfully occupied land.
Albanese emphasized the need for accountability for “violent colonizers” in the occupied Palestinian territories, stating, “Since Israel has proven unwilling or unable to bring them to justice, other countries must do so.”
Since the beginning of the Gaza war on October 7, the United Nations has been actively engaged in addressing the escalating crisis between Israel and Palestine. The UN’s response has been multifaceted, involving condemnation of violence, calls for peace, and significant humanitarian efforts.
The UN has repeatedly emphasized the need for accountability and compliance with international humanitarian law by all parties. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, highlighted the severe impact of the conflict on civilians in the West Bank, with a record number of Palestinians killed and injured since the escalation began. Furthermore, the UN has been providing shelter, food, and emergency services to displaced people in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate due to heavy airstrikes and blockades.
The UN Security Council has been actively involved, although it has faced challenges in achieving consensus on how to address the conflict. Various resolutions have been proposed and debated, emphasizing the need for a humanitarian truce and the protection of civilians. Secretary-General António Guterres has also been vocal about the principles of protecting civilians and the unacceptability of collective punishment, stressing that even war has rules that must be respected.
