A synopsis of Monday's UNHRC hypocrisy

On Monday, the UNHRC held yet another special session to demonize Israel.

The funny part is that the report that they hung this hatefest on also notes violations of human rights by the Palestinian Authority and by Hamas - but not one of the nations commenting on it mentioned this.

Neither the report nor any of the nations slamming Israel even mentioned Egypt's near-total blockade of Gaza.

Here are some of the worst hypocritical statements from the esteemed UNHRC delegates Monday who deigned to lecture Israel about human rights:

Palestine, speaking as a concerned country, said that it would have hoped to see Israel’s Ambassador in the Council’s room today. His absence showed the arrogance of Israel....The systematic occupation policy was the major cause of the human rights violations that occurred in Palestine. The blockade on occupied Gaza had to be lifted. A Special Procedure mandate should be created to study the effects of unilateral sanctions on human rights.

Syria, speaking as a concerned country, said that the continued culture of impunity in Israel had been attested to in many international commissions, and amounted to the recognition of war crimes. The defence, supported by the United States, was that Israel had a status that was somehow above the law; this did not enjoy any legitimacy. The treatment of prisoners, the abuse of the rights of those living in the Golan, and the destruction of the wealth of the occupied lands should all be ended. Syria called for a boycott of Israeli products made as a result of the occupation.

Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, said that it was deeply concerned by the illegal conduct of Israel which was not consistent with its obligations under international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. Israel’s blockade of the occupied Gaza Strip, an integral part of Palestine, was an unlawful act of collective punishment. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation demanded an end to the illegal occupation of Syrian land, and violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.

Iran, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, said that it appreciated the report of the Secretary-General and deeply shared his concerns on the recurrence of violations already highlighted in previous reports. The Non-Aligned Movement also condemned the persistent non-cooperation of Israel and its blatant disregard of its international obligations.

Venezuela said the rights of the Palestinian people to their land were age-old and Venezuela once again lamented the actions of Israel, as well as the impunity it was seemingly granted, which had caused so much suffering. The leaders of Israel must be held accountable for these acts. Venezuela called on Israel and its accomplices in the international community to uphold the right of resettlement for the Palestinian people and respect the 1967 borders.

Qatar condemned continuing Israeli violations of the human rights of the Palestinian people and called on the international community to put pressure on Israel to compel it to abide by international humanitarian law. Israel had to understand that the question of settlements was a major obstacle to negotiation efforts to ensure a just and comprehensive peace.

Kuwait reiterated its condemnation of Israeli violations of human rights and of the principles and rules of international humanitarian law as well as relevant Geneva Conventions on occupied Palestinian territory and other occupied Arab territories. There was a need to respect the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to address the issue of Palestinian refugees.

Libya said that for over six decades the peaceful people of Palestine had suffered untold assaults on their rights. These crimes had been committed as a result of the complacency of the international community. The continued “Judification” of East Jerusalem was among these crimes.

Egypt said that in spite of progress achieved since the establishment of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the international community seemed unable to achieve full compliance of the principle of equality, particularly the right to self-determination. There was no doubt that the continuation of the occupation of Palestinian land and the denial of their right to self-determination continued to be a violation of human rights. Israel bragged that it was the only democracy in the Middle East, yet it continued to occupy the lands of others.

Turkey said the Secretary-General’s report once again registered grave violations against the Palestinian people. The restrictions placed on Gaza were counterproductive and constituted collective punishment. The expansionist policy of settlements was a threat to the two-State solution and the impunity conferred to the settlers had to end. There was a compelling moral case to highlight the agonies suffered by Palestinian prisoners in particular.

Tunisia said the discriminatory laws enforced systematically by Israel against the Palestinians were reminiscent of South African apartheid.

Algeria said that the discussion of the situation of human rights in Palestine and the occupied territories was ever ongoing. In this respect the international community had to step up its efforts to urge Israel to live up to its obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. Its colonial aims with respect to the blockade of Gaza were to be deplored.

China said it supported the Council’s continued attention to the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem.

Iraq said that the report documented grave and systematic human rights violations carried out by the occupying power, Israel. Those were punitive measures imposed by the occupying power on the Palestinian population, including the destruction of homes and the forcible transfers of Palestinians in East Jerusalem.

Iran shared the concerns expressed in the Secretary-General’s report, including the forced evictions and destruction of homes. Iran regretted the non-cooperation of Israel with the Council and its mechanisms. The detention of children was a flagrant violation of international law. The continued occupation remained the main obstacle to the full enjoyment of human rights of the Palestinian people. The only solution was to put an end to the occupation.

Cuba said that the Israeli authorities continued to commit grave human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Oman said that the Palestinian cause continued to be a living image which embodied flagrant violations of human rights.

Saudi Arabia said that the continuation of Israeli occupation despite all United Nations resolutions was a scar on humanity’s conscience. Palestinians had the inalienable right to self-determination. Israel was a “heinous and racist entity” that had built an “apartheid wall”.

Yemen said that the situation of the Palestinian people under occupation was tragic. Murders and arbitrary detentions were committed every day and illegal settlements were built.

The absurd anti-Israel focus of the UNHRC has been documented many times, but it is worthwhile to actually read the garbage spewed in its name to understand the phoniness that has been allowed to not only fester there, but to thrive.