World Jewish Congress denounces UNHRC resolution condemning Israel for Gaza violence

NEW YORK - The World Jewish Congress on Friday denounced an “unabashedly one-sided and tendentious” United Nations Human Rights Council resolution that condemns Israel for disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force while virtually ignoring Hamas’ staggering responsibility in orchestrating and directing the deadly riots. The resolution was approved by 29 member states, with 14 abstentions, and 2 rejections, by the United States and Australia.

World Jewish Congress CEO Robert Singer said following the UNHRC session: “The World Jewish Congress holds Hamas fully responsible for the violence and bloodshed on the Israeli-Gaza border. We are acutely distressed by the UNHRC’s resolution which condemns Israel for indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force, without a single mention of Hamas’ control in these developments, and its preposterous move for a so-called impartial investigation whose outcome, based on many of the statements heard in the council, has already been decided.

“Both the resolution and these statements essentially disregard the incitement by Hamas, who deliberately push civilians to charge violently toward the border fence, and the hatred fueled by this terrorist organization against Israeli citizens.

“Moreover, they fail to address Hamas’ own claims that 50 of those that died in the protests were in fact terrorists. Any assertion that these protests are peaceful is disgraceful. On the contrary, the right of Palestinian citizens to protest peacefully has been hijacked by a terrorist group devoted to inflicting suffering regardless of the cost, including human life, with total impunity.

“The World Jewish Congress views this matter with ultimate concern, and sent our UN Geneva representative to present the facts on the floor after the many partial statements made over the past few days. We unequivocally denounce this resolution and call on the UNHRC to demonstrate fairness and balance in dealing with this sensitive issue rather than jumping as usual to single out Israel for condemnation,” Singer said.