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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| ICRC condemns Israeli occupation | ICRC condemns Israeli occupation |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Israeli restrictions are making life "close to impossible" for many West Bank Palestinians, the International Committee of the Red Cross has said. | |
| For some Palestinians, getting to school, work or hospital is often difficult, it said. | For some Palestinians, getting to school, work or hospital is often difficult, it said. |
| They are also frequently harassed by Jewish settlers, a report said. | They are also frequently harassed by Jewish settlers, a report said. |
| Living a "normal life" is close to impossible and the ICRC is calling on Israel to find a balance between its security and Palestinians' rights. | Living a "normal life" is close to impossible and the ICRC is calling on Israel to find a balance between its security and Palestinians' rights. |
| Whilst the economy has shown some signs of growth, the report said restrictions linked to Israeli settlements had deprived many Palestinian farmers of their land. | Whilst the economy has shown some signs of growth, the report said restrictions linked to Israeli settlements had deprived many Palestinian farmers of their land. |
| This means an estimated 50% of the West Bank's population live in poverty, said the Red Cross. | This means an estimated 50% of the West Bank's population live in poverty, said the Red Cross. |
| We reiterate our call on Israel to do more to protect Palestinians in the West Bank against settler violence Beatrice Megevand-RoggoICRC Israeli settlers 'still building' | We reiterate our call on Israel to do more to protect Palestinians in the West Bank against settler violence Beatrice Megevand-RoggoICRC Israeli settlers 'still building' |
| "The ICRC has repeatedly called for action to be taken to allow Palestinians to live their lives in dignity," said ICRC head of operations in the Middle East, Beatrice Megevand-Roggo. | "The ICRC has repeatedly called for action to be taken to allow Palestinians to live their lives in dignity," said ICRC head of operations in the Middle East, Beatrice Megevand-Roggo. |
| "We reiterate our call on Israel to do more to protect Palestinians in the West Bank against settler violence, to safeguard their land and crops, to allow families to repair their houses and to assure that all Palestinians can get to hospital or to school without delay." | "We reiterate our call on Israel to do more to protect Palestinians in the West Bank against settler violence, to safeguard their land and crops, to allow families to repair their houses and to assure that all Palestinians can get to hospital or to school without delay." |
| In November, the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a 10-month cessation of building new settlements in the West Bank, a precondition for peace talks demanded by the Palestinians. | In November, the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a 10-month cessation of building new settlements in the West Bank, a precondition for peace talks demanded by the Palestinians. |
| But, according to information released by the Israeli government, around 30 settlements are still being developed in defiance of the order. | But, according to information released by the Israeli government, around 30 settlements are still being developed in defiance of the order. |
| US attempts to revive peace talks have stalled over the Jewish settlement issue. | US attempts to revive peace talks have stalled over the Jewish settlement issue. |
| Palestinians say they will not return to peace talks unless Israel stops settlement building in the West Bank. | Palestinians say they will not return to peace talks unless Israel stops settlement building in the West Bank. |
| Israel has a long-standing commitment under an existing peace plan to stop settlement growth. | Israel has a long-standing commitment under an existing peace plan to stop settlement growth. |
| All settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. | All settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. |