Israel: UN Human Rights Council investigates violence in Gaza

There had been 60 deaths from Palestinians ' unrest at the border with Israel. The UN Human Rights Council condemned the violence against civilians.

Israel: UN Human Rights Council investigates violence in Gaza

After clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian demonstrators in Gaza, UN Human Rights Council wants to send an independent commission of inquiry to Gaza Strip. Experts should examine wher international humanitarian law and human rights were violated re, as stated in a resolution adopted on Friday in Geneva. In addition, text, which was introduced by Pakistan, includes a "disproportionate use of force by Israeli occupying forces." 29 countries opposed United States and Australia, and 14 countries abstained, including Germany.

Israel rejected resolution as one-sided. "It once again proves that it is an organisation with an automatic anti-Israeli majority, in which hypocrisy and absurdity have upper hand," it was said in a statement by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The US accused human Rights Council of bias towards Israel. Both countries criticized fact that radical Islamic Hamas ruling in Gaza Strip was not mentioned in text of resolution.

The special session was convened after riots in Gaza on Monday. Israeli troops had been shooting at Palestinian demonstrators who had gared for mass protests against transfer of US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and against Gaza blockade by Israel and Egypt. 59 people were killed according to Palestinian claims, most were Hamas members according to Hamas figures. More than 2,000 people should have been injured. The Palestinians claim east part of city for a future own state. Israel's UN Ambassador Awiwa Ras Schechter wrote "unfortunate outcome of clashes" solely to Hamas, which in a smear campaign against Israel yields its own population.

Hamas calls for more mass protests

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh had previously announced a continuation of protests. He called for complete lifting of Palestinian territory in Mediterranean for more than a decade. Haniyeh said that mass protests had already had important results, such as opening of border crossing to Egypt. The country wants to keep its own border crossing to Gaza Strip open during entire Muslim month of Ramadan. " This would never have happened without sacrifices of our people, "said Haniyeh. The bloodshed in Gaza Strip has also aroused attention of international media, "more than attention to opening of US Embassy in Jerusalem."

The recent violence at border fence between Israel and Gaza Strip is also to be subject at summit of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul in evening. Before opening, re was a rally against Israel in Istanbul, in which hundreds of thousands of people took part, according to state broadcaster TRT. There, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians. "This violence that Israel exercises is called genocide and ethnic cleansing," said Yıldırım.

In previous investigations, Israel refused to cooperate

A total of more than 100 people were killed since end of March in protest at border fence, according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said Raad al-Hussein. At least 87 Palestinians were shot by Israeli soldiers. He rejected Israel's statements that security forces would do anything to keep numbers of victims as low as possible: "There is almost no sign of this." The Palestinians are under Israel as occupying Power "cooped up into a poisonous slum, from birth to death, everyone would be deprived."

The Human Rights Council has also used 2009 and 2014 investigation commissions on Gaza. The Israeli Government refused cooperation. The Commission cannot, refore, research in Israel and hear, as far as possible, witnesses outside conflict area or relies on local observers ' deliveries.

A spokesman for Israeli Foreign Ministry did not want to comment on Friday on wher Israel will allow investigation team to enter this time. The results of such an investigation are known from outset. "It is clear to all that aim of Council is not finding of truth." Rar, it is about preventing Israel from exercising its right to self-defense and demonization of Jewish state.

In new confrontations on Gaza line, several Palestinians were injured on Friday. Previously, Palestinians had been flying kites with incendiary sets on Israeli side of border. This triggered several fires, favoured by a heat wave in region.

Date Of Update: 19 May 2018, 12:02
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