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Predictable: Shoot the Messenger

It what has become so predictable, the Israelis have mounted a personal attack on the integrity of the UN General Assembly's special rapporteur following his report on human rights in the Palestinian Occupied Territories. No less predictable, is that there is no response to the actual findings.

Until the world wakes up that the totally intolerable situation in the occupied territories must cease, there will not even be a prospect of peace in the region and in the wider world in relation to Islamic militants.

BBC News reports:

"Palestinian human rights have been abused throughout 40 years of Israeli occupation, according to the UN General Assembly's special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian Occupied Territories.

In a report to the UN General Assembly in New York, Richard Falk said Israel's occupation - of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and, until 2005, the Gaza Strip - possessed characteristics of colonialism and apartheid.

Israel has rejected the report as a highly politicised, one-sided polemic.
Mr Falk has in the recent past compared Israel's behaviour as an occupier to Nazi Germany's activities in occupied Europe during World War II.

That remark alone has made him a very controversial figure for Israel, which will not give him a visa.

Mr Falk said he compiled his report from reliable information provided by the UN and aid agencies.

The report said the condition of Palestinians living under occupation had continued to deteriorate, reaching "dangerous and non-sustainable levels of mental and physical suffering and trauma".

Israel says Mr Falk lacks impartiality, objectivity and personal integrity.

Mr Falk examined specific case studies, and also highlighted Israel's continuing expansion of settlements that are illegal under international law.

He also criticised the Israeli blockade of Gaza, restrictions on the movement of Palestinians, and what he said were legal moves to expel Palestinians from East Jerusalem."

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