12 JULY 2021

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today*s noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

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Questions and Answers

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Question:? Yes, Farhan.? Thank you.? Palestinian member of Legislative Council Khalida Jarrar, she*s in jail.? Her daughter just had a heart attack and died.? She*s 25.? And there is a world pressure now on Israel to let her attend the funeral.? Do you have anything to say?? I expected Mr.?[Tor] Wennesland to say something in sympathy with Miss Khalida Jarrar*s tragedy.? Do you see there is validity of calling the Israeli authorities to let her attend the funeral of her daughter?

Deputy Spokesman:? Well, certainly, it*s a case for the authorities to consider the case for compassionate leave.? Beyond that, of course, I would also point out that we have called for all those in detention to be tried promptly and to face due process or otherwise to be released.

Question:? I still have two question.? Can I?? Sorry.? Mr.?[Michael] Lynk, the Special Rapporteur on violations for human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said during the weekend that the# building settlement, confiscating land, destruction of homes, they could be considered a war crime.? Do you subscribe to that analysis?

Deputy Spokesman:? We are against the construction of settlements, and we*ve discussed why that is.? The views of Mr.?Lynk, as an independent Special Rapporteur, are his own.

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For information media. Not an official record.