A United Nations human rights investigator said Friday, that the Israeli occupation settlements in the West Bank amount to a war crime, calling on countries to make clear to the Israeli occupation entity that its “illegal occupation” cannot continue without a price.

Michael Lynk, the United Nations rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, was addressing a session of the Human Rights Council of the International Organization in Geneva.

Israel boycotted the session as it did not recognize Lynk's position and did not cooperate with him.

"My conclusion is that the Israeli settlements amount to a war crime," Lynk said.

"I tell you that this result obligates the international community to make clear to Israel that its illegal occupation and defiance of international law and international opinion cannot continue without a price," he added.