Volker Turk strongly deplored the surge in cases of antisemitism, Islamophobia and other hate speech, both online and offline.
“The impact of this crisis … has sent shock waves across every region, dehumanising both Palestinians and Jews,” Turk said in a statement.
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Humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza as food supplies run out after total Israeli blockade
Humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza as food supplies run out after total Israeli blockade
“We have witnessed a sharp spike in hate speech, violence and discrimination, deepening social fractures and polarisation … I have heard from both Jews and Muslims that they don’t feel safe, and it saddens me,” he added.
Israeli troops have encircled Gaza’s largest city, trying to crush Hamas in retaliation for October 7 raids that Israeli officials say killed an estimated 1,400 people inside Israel, most of them civilians.
The health ministry in Gaza, run by Hamas, says more than 9,400 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in the Israeli military campaign.
China urges Europe to help jointly resolve conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine
China urges Europe to help jointly resolve conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine
Turk said that around the world “Islamophobic and antisemitic harassment, attacks and hate speech have multiplied, including in the context of protests relating to the conflict”.
He said homes and religious buildings had been defaced with threatening symbols along with other images and messages “meant to frighten and provoke hate”.
The UN high commissioner for human rights also hit out at “inflammatory, toxic and hateful rhetoric” used by political leaders.
The torrent of hateful language being used, including on social media, is abhorrent
“The torrent of hateful language being used, including on social media, is abhorrent,” he said.
Turk said “evil words have been accompanied by vile deeds”, which he blamed on the “vicious language” emanating from the streets and from politicians.
He also voiced concern about undue restrictions on protests over the conflict, saying nations often cited risks to national security or the glorification of terrorism to justify such action.
“In some cases we have seen blanket or disproportionate restrictions on assembly predominantly in the context of pro-Palestinian protests,” he said.
Turk insisted that any restrictions on peaceful assembly had to be proportionate and based on law.
Israel’s unrelenting offensive against Hamas battled on into its fifth week with no sign of slowing on Saturday, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Arab foreign ministers in search of a diplomatic opening to ease the crisis.