Israel deprives Palestinians of benefiting from natural resources of water which constitutes a “violation of legal responsibilities as an occupying power,” Special UN Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Occupied Palestinian Territory Michael Lynk said.

Lynk said:

“For nearly five million Palestinians living under occupation, the degradation of their water supply, the exploitation of their natural resources and the defacing of their environment, are symptomatic of the lack of any meaningful control they have over their daily lives.”

During the 40th session of Human Rights Council, H.E. the Permanent Representative has made a statement during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of #HumanRights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Mr Michael Lynk.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/bDfDtRQ50q — KSA Mission UN Geneva (@KSAPermanentGVA) March 18, 2019

He gave these remarks as he presented a report on the impact of the occupation on the environment and natural resources to the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

“Israel’s policy of usurping Palestinian natural resources and disregarding the environment has robbed the Palestinians of vital assets and means they simply cannot enjoy their right to development. ts approach to the natural resources of the Occupied Palestinian Territory has been to use them as a sovereign country would use its own assets, with vastly discriminatory consequences.”

1) Do you care about Human Rights? For all humans? Let’s take a look at some of the #HumanRights Violations Ignored by #UN #Palestine Rapporteur Michael Lynk. None of his reports #UNHCR ever mentions abuses by #PA, #Hamas, other #Palestine groups against Palestinians or Israelis pic.twitter.com/aOGDpGpC5h — Daniel Brenner (@Daniel_Brenner) March 18, 2019

The report said people living under occupation should be able to enjoy their full rights as enshrined in international law, in order to protect their sovereignty over their natural wealth.

“However,” he added, “Israeli practices in relation to water, extraction of other resources and environmental protection, raise serious concerns.”

UN human rights investigator Michael Lynk states that Israel is depriving millions of Palestinians of access to a regular supply of clean water while stripping their lands of minerals "in an apparent act of pillage.” https://t.co/t3lvWxpwap pic.twitter.com/X6348U7RhF — Palestine Today (@PalestineToday) March 18, 2019

The Rapporteur said natural and mineral wealth from the Dead Sea, which is partly within the occupied West Bank, were being extracted by Israel for its own benefit, while Palestinians were denied access to them.

There are serious concerns about Israel’s practice of disposing of hazardous waste in so-called “sacrifice zones” in the West Bank. The impact of Israel’s practices may be felt not only by Palestinians but also by Israelis and others in the region, the Rapporteur said.

War on nature: How Zionist colonialism has destroyed the environment in Palestine https://t.co/I6KAzwoedy — Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) February 26, 2019

The report also questioned the ongoing use of excessive force by Israeli security forces against demonstrators in Gaza and the near humanitarian catastrophe in the territory caused by the blockade.

Lynk also expressed fears about the fate of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem – nearly 200 of whom are at risk of forced eviction – and concern for human rights defenders facing increasing attacks on their credibility and pressure on funding.

(MEMO, PC, Social Media)