Israel ‘asphyxiating’ Palestinians for ‘apartheid system’ in West Bank: UN

A United Nations human rights report, released on January 7, 2026, accuses Israel of "asphyxiating" Palestinians and implementing policies resembling "apartheid" in the occupied West Bank. The report, from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, cites Israel's "systemic discrimination" through restricted movement, limited access to resources, and unequal application of laws for settlers and Palestinians. UN rights chief Volker Turk stated that every aspect of Palestinian life in the West Bank is controlled by discriminatory Israeli practices. The report calls for Israel to dismantle all settlements, highlighting large-scale land confiscation and unequal treatment on critical issues. This marks the first time a UN human rights chief has used the term "apartheid" to describe the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

A UN report states that Israeli policies and practices in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, constitute "systemic discrimination" against Palestinians, resembling apartheid. The report, issued by the UN human rights office, highlights the "asphyxiating impact" of Israeli laws on Palestinian daily life, citing restrictions on access to essential resources and services. High Commissioner Volker Türk noted the situation has "drastically deteriorated" over the past three years. Israel dismissed the report as "absurd and distorted," citing security threats and accusing the UN office of bias. The report is the first time a UN human rights chief has explicitly compared Israeli policies in the West Bank to apartheid. The report details that Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank are treated under two distinct bodies of law, resulting in unequal treatment.