The Arab League has strongly condemned recent actions by Israeli forces in Hebron and other areas of the occupied West Bank, describing them as a significant escalation of violations against the Palestinian population. In a statement issued on October 24, the League’s General Secretariat highlighted a range of Israeli measures, including threats to forcibly displace Palestinian residents, demolish neighbourhoods, and attack individuals and their property.
The statement particularly criticized Israeli authorities for closing the Ibrahimi Mosque, a key religious site, and restricting access for worshippers. The Arab League argued that these measures infringe upon the freedom of worship and violate the sanctity of religious locations, which it said contradict Israel’s legal responsibilities as the occupying power.
According to the League, these actions are part of a broader policy aimed at altering the demographic and geographic landscape of the occupied Palestinian territories. It emphasized that such measures may constitute serious breaches of international humanitarian law, citing the Fourth Geneva Convention. The convention prohibits forcible transfer of populations, collective punishment, and destruction of property in occupied territories, except under specific and narrowly defined circumstances.
The statement warned that the forced displacement and potential devastation of Palestinian neighbourhoods could amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity, depending on how and under what conditions they occur. The Arab League called on the international community to intervene and hold Israel accountable for these alleged violations.
The Israeli government has not publicly responded to the Arab League’s statement as of this writing. The situation in Hebron remains tense amid ongoing reports of confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinian residents, as well as broader concerns over settler activities and restrictions on movement in the West Bank.