Israel Denounces UNHRC Decision to Investigate War Crimes Against Gazans

A short time after the United Nations Human Rights Commission, a body known for its anti-Israel positions, passed a decision to investigate Israel for human rights violations in the Gaza Strip, the Israel government publicized a harsh statement against the decision. The Prime Minister’s Office called it “a travesty and should be rejected by decent people everywhere.”

The United Nations Human Rights Council voted 29 to one [U.S.] with 17 abstentions to launch an international inquiry into rights violations that it says may have been committed during Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza.

“Rather than investigate Hamas, which is committing a double war crime by firing rockets at Israeli civilians while hiding behind Palestinian civilians, the UNHRC calls for an investigation of Israel, which has gone to unprecedented lengths to keep Palestinian civilians out of harm’s way, including by dropping leaflets, making phone calls and sending text messages,” the PMO statement said.

”The UNHRC should be launching an investigation into Hamas’s decision to turn hospitals into military command centers, use schools as weapons depots and place missile batteries next to playgrounds, private homes and mosques.

“In the absence of condemnation of Hamas’s systematic use of human shields and by blaming Israel for the deaths caused by Hamas’s behavior, the Commission is sending a clear message to Hamas and terror organizations all over that using civilians as human shields is an effective strategy.

“Similar to the investigation that led to the notorious Goldstone Report, where the author ultimately retracted what he wrote, an investigation by this kangaroo court will conclude in a predictable way,” the Israeli government stated. “The expected result is the slander of Israel and more widespread use of human shields by Hamas. Those that will pay the price will not only be Israelis, but also Palestinians, when Hamas will redouble their efforts to take advantage of them as human shields.”

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni condemned the UNHRC decision as “applauding terror” and stressed that Israel would continue to take the necessary steps to defend its citizens.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the July 24th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.