Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism – At the concluding segment of the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, several States seized the opportunity to address the conflict engulfing Gaza and Israel, now in its sixth day.
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.
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”
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.
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.
