NEW YORK – The World Jewish Congress is calling on the United Nations Human Rights Council’s commission of inquiry on Gaza, whose three members were appointed this week, to ensure that it “maintains the highest levels of balance and objectivity” when investigating the events of the recent protests on the Israel-Gaza border.
“It is critical that the international community keep a close eye on the UNHRC’s commission of inquiry on Gaza, to ensure that it proceeds in its task as a truly independent and impartial body, as stipulated in the resolution calling for its establishment,” said WJC CEO and Executive Vice President Robert Singer.
“The very resolution that called for the creation of this commission was problematic from the start, condemning Israel for disproportionate use of force while virtually ignoring Hamas’ role in inciting Palestinians to commit violence against Israeli citizens,” Singer said.
“The UNHRC’s record on investigating Israel fairly is faulty, to say the least. Far too many commissions and reports mandated by this Council cross the line into one-sided bias, and its persistence of permanent agenda item 7 underscores its routine lack of objectivity,” Singer said.
“Any commission of inquiry exercised by this council must investigate all parties involved, and not single out Israel for blame and condemnation,” Singer concluded.
