JEDDAH, August 14, 2026 (WAFA) — The Permanent Independent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Friday condemned the escalating violence perpetrated by illegal Israeli colonists against Palestinian civilians across the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
In a statement, the commission expressed grave concern over reports that more than 3,800 Palestinians, approximately half of them children, have been displaced as a result of colonist violence, demolitions and forced evictions. It said the developments reflect a systematic pattern of intimidation and attacks aimed at forcing Palestinians to leave their land and facilitating its seizure.
The commission said the situation in the West Bank requires immediate action, warning that silence and impunity would only lead to further violence, displacement and unlawful annexation.
It said Israel, as the occupying power, is bound by the Fourth Geneva Convention, the Hague Regulations and applicable international human rights law. The commission noted that the International Court of Justice, in its advisory opinion issued on July 19, 2024, found Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory unlawful. It also said colonist violence and Israel's failure to prevent attacks or hold perpetrators accountable create a coercive environment conducive to the displacement of Palestinians and the consolidation of unlawful annexation.
The commission said illegal Israeli colonies constitute serious violations of Palestinians' rights to life, security, equality, housing, health, education, property and freedom of movement, while undermining their inalienable right to self-determination.
It warned that continued colonial expansion, land seizure and forced displacement are entrenching the de facto annexation of Palestinian territory and threatening the establishment of an independent, sovereign and geographically contiguous Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The commission renewed its solidarity with the Palestinian people and called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council and the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, to take urgent and effective measures to protect Palestinian civilians, ensure accountability and uphold international law and relevant UN resolutions, including Security Council Resolution 2334 of 2016.
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