At the concluding segment of the
54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on Friday in
Geneva, several States seized the opportunity to address the
conflict engulfing Gaza and Israel, now in its sixth
day.
Some 22 countries and one non-governmental organization (NGO)
took the floor, turning the meeting into a mini urgent debate on
the crisis sparked by Hamas attacks against Israel and the
capture of more than 100 Israelis who are being held hostage by
militants inside the Gaza Strip.
The surprise incursion prompted intense aerial bombardment by
Israel, a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, and an order to
evacuate the northern part of the enclave within 24 hours, which
began on Thursday evening, local time.
Opposing opinions
At the Council, Western States focused on condemning Hamas and
support for Israel’s right to self-defence.
States that are part of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC) and the Arab Group focused on Israel’s attacks against Gaza
while expressing support for the Palestinian people and their
right to self-determination.
The UN’s preeminent human rights body is made up of 47 Member
States who serve for a period of three years. Membership is based
on equitable geographical distribution by region.
Support for both sides
Among members that spoke were Pakistan (on behalf of the OIC),
Algeria and Sudan.
Their interventions focused on Israel’s conduct in Gaza,
including loss of civilian life and infrastructure, the need for
humanitarian corridors in Gaza, and support for Palestinian
self-determination.
France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany, raised
the joint communiqué issued on Monday by their leaders and Italy.
That document expressed “steadfast and united support to the
State of Israel” and “unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its
appalling acts of terrorism.”
Belgium and Czechia also made aligned comments in support of
Israel and called for the release of hostages. South Africa,
China, and India appealed for de-escalation by all parties,
humanitarian assistance and efforts towards the peace process.
Non-members Palestine and Israel also participated in the
meeting.
Palestine: End the massacre
Palestinian Ambassador Ibrahim M. Khraishi appealed for an end to
what he termed the ongoing “massacre” in the Gaza strip, listing
the casualties that include “more than 1,750 martyrs, more than
500 children and 7,000 injured”. He also cited the ongoing
destruction in Gaza, the racist and criminal declarations, the
cutting of food, electricity, water and fuel, and where Israel
representatives had described the Palestinian people as “human
animals”.
Mr. Khraishi noted that some States had said that they share the
values and principles of Israel. “This is not something
acceptable for you to associate yourselves with those criminals,”
he said. He also pointed to the destruction of infrastructure,
hospitals and ambulances, saying this would never kill the will
and determination of the Palestinian people to achieve their
freedom and an end to occupation.
Israel: Stand with us
Israeli Ambassador Meirav Eilon Shahar said more than 1,300
citizens and foreigners had been brutally massacred by Hamas, and
that roughly 2,500 terrorists entered the country “to murder,
torture, rape, kidnap and behead my people”. Hamas shows no
respect for human life and human rights, she added. The group
“shot innocent people, blew up whole families in their homes, and
they stabbed young children in their beds.”
In response to the Arab Group statement, the Israeli
representative said that ISIS and Hamas were the same sides of
the same coin and asked what these States did in response to
ISIS.
Ms. Shahar noted that for years delegations have supported Hamas
and its calls for the destruction of the Jewish people. She said
others should condemn Hamas and demand the release of hostages.
The Ambassador asked other countries to stand with Israel in its
war against terror.
NGO condemns international crimes
The NGO International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) condemned
all crimes under international law committed by both Israel and
Palestinian armed groups, saying targeted and indiscriminate
attacks against civilians can never be justified.
ISHR called for the International Criminal
Court (ICC) to accelerate its investigation into serious
crimes committed by all parties in Palestine and Israel.
Meanwhile, according to ISHR, the Commission of Inquiry on the
Occupied Palestinian Territories, established by the Council,
should also address the situation within the context of its root
causes, which include settler colonialism, apartheid and denial
of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people to
self-determination and return.
