Israel has officially asked the United Nations Human Rights Council to dissolve a commission that is investigating human rights violations in both Israel and the Palestinian territories. The Israeli government accused the commission of showing “institutional discrimination” against it.
In a letter accessed by Reuters, Israel’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Daniel Meron, argued that the commission’s work and conclusions have consistently shown bias.
Israel Calls Inquiry One-Sided
The commission, known as the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, has repeatedly criticized Israel’s military operations in Gaza. These reports have increased since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on southern Israel, which triggered the ongoing war.
Israel has repeatedly rejected the commission’s findings, saying the body applies double standards and is prejudiced in its investigations.
“The Commission of Inquiry, both in its mandate and in the work of its members, constitutes nothing less than a manifestation of the institutional discrimination against Israel in the Human Rights Council,” Meron’s letter stated.
Commission Established in 2021
The Human Rights Council created the commission in May 2021, during an earlier conflict between Israel and Hamas. Its main task is to gather and safeguard evidence that could be used in international trials, including those at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Council President Lacks Power to Disband
Pascal Sim, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Council, confirmed that Council President Jurg Lauber had received Israel’s letter. However, Sim made it clear that Lauber does not have the authority to shut down the commission.
“That would be up to the Council’s 47 members,” Sim explained.
Accusations of Genocide Spark Outrage
In March, the commission released a controversial report claiming that Israel committed “genocidal acts” against Palestinians. The accusation triggered a strong backlash from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who condemned the report as biased and antisemitic.
Earlier this year, in February, Israel officially withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council, citing ongoing bias and unfair treatment.
