Press briefing by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Michael Lynk (right). Photo: UN/Mark Garten)

Harun Nasruallah

The UN independent expert on human rights in the Palestinian territories has called for an international ban on all products made in Israeli settlements, to help end “the longest belligerent occupation in the modern world.”

Speaking to the General Assembly’s Human Rights Committee on October 23 Michael Lynk, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories, said that the international community should also issue “a clarion call to the UN” to complete and release a database “on businesses engaged in activities related to the illegal settlements.”

Lynk said the international community had a responsibility and a legal obligation to compel Israel to completely end its occupation and remove barriers to self-determination for the Palestinians.

“Israel has occupied the Palestinian territory for more than 52 years, the longest belligerent occupation in the modern world,” he said.

“The status quo of Israel’s‘ occu-annexation’ is endlessly sustainable without decisive international intervention because of the grossly asymmetrical balance of power on the ground.”

The list has been said to include Israeli banks, supermarkets, restaurant chains, bus lines and security firms, as well as international giants that provide equipment or services used to build or maintain settlements.

The UN Human Rights Council has repeatedly delayed the release of a report about companies doing business in Israeli settlements, which was to be published in 2017.