
UN rights report raises concerns of 'ethnic cleansing' in displacement of Palestinians in West Bank
ABC News
The U.N. human rights chief's office has expressed concerns about possible “ethnic cleansing” as Israel has accelerated the expansion of settlements in large parts of the West Bank
GENEVA -- The U.N. human rights chief's office expressed concerns about possible “ethnic cleansing” in a new report on Tuesday, saying that Israel has accelerated the expansion of settlements in large parts of the occupied West Bank and the forced displacement of more than 36,000 Palestinians.
The report from the office of Volker Türk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, covers a yearlong period through the end of October. It decries increased violence by Israeli settlers and security forces against Palestinians in the area.
Türk alleged that Israeli authorities were “playing the central role in directing, participating in or enabling this conduct,” and the report denounced harassment, intimidation and destruction of farmland and homes of Palestinians.
Israel's Foreign Ministry and the Israeli Embassy in Geneva didn't immediately comment.
Much of the displacement of thousands has taken place in the northern West Bank, where Israel launched a broad military offensive in early 2025. Israel's government says the operation is aimed at stamping out militant groups active in the area.













