Israel on hit back furiously at a UN Human Rights Council’s report claiming Israeli soldiers intentionally fired on civilians and could have committed crimes against humanity during a string of crackdowns against Palestinian demonstrators last year in Gaza that left 189 people dead.
The independent Commission of Inquiry mandated by the Human Rights Council said more than 6,000 people were shot by military snipers using live ammunition to repel protesters near the separation fence. The panel showed video of shootings of protesters as it issued a report on the violent March of Return protests the Palestinian launched in March, 2018.
The government called the report “hostile, false and biased,” while Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said the report reflected the council’s “obsessive hatred” of Israel.
“The UN Human Rights Council is setting new records of hypocrisy and lies stemming from its obsessive hatred toward Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East. Hamas is the one firing missiles at Israeli civilians, throwing explosive devices and carrying terrorist activity during demonstrations on the Gaza border,” Netanyahu said.
“Israel won’t allow Hamas to violate its sovereignty and hurt its citizens and will preserve its right to defend itself. IDF soldiers will continue defending with determination Israeli communities and civilians from Hamas and other terror organisations funded by Iran, which declares its intention to annihilate Israel,” the prime minister added.
Acting Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz echoed Netanyahu’s sentiments, saying that the council had “produced another hostile, mendacious and slanted report against the State of Israel. No one can deny Israel the right to self-defence and the obligation to defend its citizens and borders from violent attacks.”
The commission also faulted Hamas, which runs Gaza, for not preventing use of incendiary airborne devices tied to kites and balloon that scorched swathes of Israeli farmland during the protests.
Israel is the only country in the world whose rights record comes up for discussion at every HRC session, under “Item 7” on the agenda. Item 7 on “Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories” has been part of the council’s regular business almost as long as it has existed.
