In an unprecedented move, the UN's Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), released a report that accuses Israel of imposing an "apartheid regime" in Palestine.

The report titled "Israeli Practices Toward the Palestinian People and the Question of Apartheid" was released this week in a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon.

Speaking at the conference, Rima Khalaf, UN Under-Secretary General and ESCWA Executive Secretary, regarded the report a "first of its type," as it labels Israel "a racist state that has established an apartheid system that persecutes the Palestinian people."

However, according to the Independent, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York that the report was "published without any prior consultation with the UN secretariat.“

Mr. Dujarric stressed on the fact that the report only reflects the views of its authors and not "the views of the secretary-general (Antonio Guterres).”

The report is authored by Mr. Richard Falkand  and Ms. Virginia Tilley and according to its abstract, the conclusion reached by the authors is based on "overwhelming evidence, that Israel is guilty of the crime of apartheid" and urges "swift action to oppose and end it."

At the end of a six page executive summary of the report, its authors also state that the international community has a collective "legal obligation to act within the limits of their capabilities to prevent and punish instances of apartheid that are responsibly brought to their attention."

Israel responded to the report with outrage, quickly condemning it.

In a statement issued late on Wednesday, Israel's UN envoy Danny Danon called the report a "blatant lie" saying that "the attempt to smear and falsely label the only true democracy in the Middle East by creating a false analogy is despicable."

Nevertheless, Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement welcomed the report and was quoted as saying "this new UN report is a stark indicator that Israel’s apartheid is destined to end, as South Africa’s did."

On March 6, Israel, who claims to be the "only democracy" in the Middle East, approved a law effectively barring anyone found to be in support of the BDS movement from entering the country.

The law came into effect soon after and Hugh Lanning, chair of the British activist organization, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) is one of the people who were barred from entering Israel.

Human rights activists around the world have condemned the law.

Lebanese lawmakers recently approved several new taxes and levies that include a 1 percent increase to the value-added tax (VAT). Previously, the VAT tax stood at 10 percent. 

The raise came as the government seeks to fund the wage scale that would offer public sector workers - including teachers - greater salary packages. 

But it also means that prices of daily purchases and the daily cost of living will increase. 

This is why dozens gathered outside Parliament in Beirut's Riad al-Solh Square on Thursday to protest the new bill, decrying corruption and what they viewed as unwarranted tax increases.

Other areas across the country, including Tripoli in the north, and Saida in the south, saw hundreds rallying against the tax increases as well. 

More protests are expected to follow this Saturday and Sunday.

If you're wondering why many are taking to the streets, Lebanese people are providing you with their answers on Twitter under the hashtag 'Why I'm Protesting' (ليش_نازل_تتظاهر). 

For many it really boils down to injustice. 

"I'm protesting because increasing taxes in a country that has seen thousands suffer from the poor economic situation - due to the presence of corruption at the highest levels - is unacceptable"

According to a 2009 UNDP study, it was revealed that even a slight increase to the VAT tax will effectively impact thousands of people in the country, particularly the middle class and households living just above the poverty line. 

Overall poverty in Lebanon, which stood at 30 percent at the time, is projected to increase to 35 and even 50 percent. 

The number of people living under the poverty line in Lebanon has risen by 66 percent since 2011, a more recent report by Oxfam has revealed. 

Similarly, the World Bank estimates that approximately 170,000 Lebanese became poor between 2011 and 2014. 

Also, 350,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon are estimated to be unable to meet their minimum survival requirements and another 350,000 Lebanese live on less than $1 per day.