Israel’s decision to expand firearms licensing to Israelis will only increase tension and further violence against Palestinians, warned Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
“The Israeli government’s plans to speed up and expand firearms licensing with the stated intention of adding thousands of (Israeli) civilians to carry firearms, combined with hate speech, can only lead to further violence and bloodshed,” Turk said in an interview. statement.
“We know from experience that the proliferation of firearms will increase the risk of killing and injuring both Israelis and Palestinians. Therefore, the Israeli authorities should work to reduce the availability of firearms in society,” he added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week more Israelis would be allowed firearms licenses.
The move comes amid rising tensions in the Palestinian territories following an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin last week that killed 10 Palestinians. Seven Israelis were also killed in shelling in occupied East Jerusalem.
“Instead of fueling a growing spiral of violence, I call on everyone in public office or other positions of power—everyone, in fact—to stop using language that incites hatred of others,” Turk said. “Such hate speech is detrimental to all Israelis, Palestinians and society.”
The UN Commissioner noted that since the beginning of the year, 32 Palestinians have been killed as a result of shelling by the Israeli army, as well as seven Israelis.
“The people of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory need their leaders to work urgently to create conditions conducive to a political solution to this protracted and unacceptable situation,” he added.
