Fri Nov 21 14:53:41 UTC 2025: Rights Advocate Warns of “Disastrous” Conditions in Gaza, Cites Risk of Renewed Violence

Washington, D.C. – The conditions that led to what some are calling genocide in Gaza remain dangerously in place due to a lack of accountability for Israel’s actions, according to Yuli Novak, executive director of the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Novak warned that despite a ceasefire, the situation is “more dangerous than ever,” highlighting the urgent need to hold Israel accountable for its past abuses.

Novak’s comments follow reports from numerous human rights organizations and UN investigators accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, based on decades of policies that have systematically marginalized and dehumanized Palestinians. B’Tselem’s own report, “Our Genocide,” detailed the history of these policies, including apartheid, demographic engineering, and a culture of impunity.

Since the ceasefire, violence has continued, with Israeli forces killing hundreds of Palestinians and restricting humanitarian aid to Gaza, exacerbating the already dire situation. In the occupied West Bank, settlement expansion and settler violence, often with the protection of the Israeli military, have intensified, leading to the displacement of thousands.

Novak, who met with U.S. lawmakers this week, emphasized that settler attacks are a form of state violence, as settlers are armed by the state and sometimes include soldiers. While some Israeli leaders have condemned settler violence, Novak dismissed it as a ploy to deflect blame from broader Israeli policies.

She also criticized the UN Security Council’s endorsement of a U.S. plan for Gaza, arguing that it lacks accountability mechanisms and allows Israel to avoid responsibility for its actions. Novak expressed concern that the international community is regressing, pointing to Germany’s decision to lift restrictions on weapons exports to Israel.

Despite the lack of political and legal accountability, Novak noted a growing international awareness of Israel’s atrocities, giving her hope that public pressure can force leaders to hold Israel accountable and prevent further violence.

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