Ban on Palestinians by Israel ‘collective punishment’: UN

Israel's cancellation of entry permits for Palestinians following a deadly attack in Tel Aviv may amount to collective punishment, which is banned under international law, the United Nations' top human rights official said on Friday.

Israel responded that its actions were “legitimate steps in order to defend its citizens from terrorists”.

The Israeli military on Thursday revoked permits for 83,000 Palestinians to visit Israel and said it would send hundreds more troops to the occupied West Bank a day after a Palestinian gun attack that killed four Israelis in Tel Aviv.

UN high commissioner for human rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein condemned the attack, the largest loss of Israeli life in a single attack since the current surge in violence, spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said.

However, he is concerned about the revoking of permits “which may amount to prohibited collective punishment and will only increase the sense of injustice and frustration felt by Palestinians in this very tense time”, she told a press briefing.

Israel’s actions included suspension of 204 work permits held by individuals in the extended families of the alleged attackers, she said, and Israeli security forces sealed off their entire hometown.

The Geneva Conventions say punishing people for crimes they have not personally committed can amount to collective punishment, Ms Shamdasani said.

US state department spokesperson Mark Toner declined to characterise the Israeli action as collective punishment but called on Israel to avoid steps that might escalate tensions.