Amnesty International = Bias Against Israel
We have written a letter to Amnesty International in response to their extremely biased report against Israel titled “Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime Against Humanity”.
Dear Amnesty International,
We, the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, an Israeli NGO fighting to promote human rights, defend democracy, and improve the overall quality of life for Israelis and Palestinians alike, find it of the utmost importance to address your recent report titled “Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: Cruel system of domination and crime against humanity”.
We believe the report’s attempt to allege that Israel has maintained “a system of oppression and domination” over the Palestinians that meets the international definition of apartheid is a preposterous and baseless claim. Israeli Arabs take an active part in Israeli life, as military and police commanders, as ministers, as diplomats, and as Supreme Court judges. In addition, there’s an Arab party in the current coalition and in June 2021 Israeli Arab Parliament Members held a conference in the parliament of the so called apartheid regime of Israel titled: “Between Occupation to Apartheid”. The report also accuses Israel’s “apartheid” of extending “over Palestinian refugees whose right of return to their homes remains controlled by Israel.” To claim that Israel imposes a system of oppression and domination on Palestinians that live in Lebanon, Jordan, or the United States is completely absurd.
We condemn the terminology used in the report referring to the terrorist organization “Hamas” as solely an “armed group”, whereas this organization clearly falls under the various definitions for terrorism. Furthermore, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States have all designated it as a terrorist organization. Hamas periodically violates International Humanitarian Law by firing rockets and mortars from densely populated areas, thus placing Gazan civilians in grave danger as “human shields.” In the most recent Israel-Gaza conflict, in May 2021, Hamas (the armed Palestinian groups that the report refers to) fired thousands of indiscriminate rockets towards Israeli towns, killing thirteen Israelis. Hamas also misfired hundreds of rockets that fell into the Gaza Strip, killing Palestinians and damaging Palestinian property, these acts are heinous war crimes, yet your report does not mention them even once. The report only mentions alleged war crimes committed by Israel.
Moreover, this report is above all a blatant means to delegitimize the State of Israel and criminalize Israeli laws and practices that are designed to safeguard Jewish identity, such as the Law of Return. The report infers that this law is a form of oppression of Palestinians: “This unequal and separate citizenship structure has resulted in stark discrimination against Palestinian citizens in several ways”. To propose that the law constitutes a form of discrimination towards Palestinians is outrageous, since its sole purpose is to safeguard Israel’s Jewish character. Furthermore, this law and others are enshrined under international law and parallel the practices of many nation-states.
Yours sincerely,
Flavia Sevald, CEO,
Jerusalem Institute of Justice,
If you agree with this letter and want to send a petition to Amnesty International letting them know that you stand up for Israel and believe their report is biased click the button below to sign the petition. It will get sent to Amnesty International’s London
headquarters.
PETITION TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Dear Amnesty International,
I stand with the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, an Israeli NGO fighting to promote human rights, defend democracy, and improve the overall quality of life for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and find it of the utmost importance to address your recent report titled “Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: Cruel system of domination and crime against humanity”.
We believe the report’s attempt to allege that Israel has maintained “a system of oppression and domination” over the Palestinians that meets the international definition of apartheid is a preposterous and baseless claim. Israeli Arabs take an active part in Israeli life, as military and police commanders, as ministers, as diplomats, and as Supreme Court judges.
Moreover, this report is above all a blatant means to delegitimize the State of Israel and criminalize Israeli laws and practices that are designed to safeguard Jewish identity.
We call upon Amnesty International to cease their attack on Israel!
I declare that the State of Israel does not perpetuate apartheid and has a right to exist as the homeland of the Jewish people.
Signed by
Stop the Apartheid Lie - Petition Against the UNHRC
With an extremely wide scope, an unreasonable budget of $18 million, 18 full-time employees and three members with a track record of hostility towards Israel chosen to lead the inquiry, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has initiated a permanent “Commission of Inquiry” (COI) into Israel, which constitutes a blatant and unprecedented direct attack on Israel.
The United Nations (UN) is perhaps the most biased global human rights organization in modern history when it comes to Israel. During the 70 plus years of Israel-UN relations, much ink has been spilled on the disproportionate preoccupation of the UN with Israel. Starting with a disgraceful resolution determining that Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination, to an unequivocal recognition by former UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon officially confirming that the UN is biased against Israel. But every time you think they hit rock bottom, a new low is waiting around the corner. This time the hypocrisy and prejudice that characterize the UN’s approach toward Israel have reached new lows.
With an extremely wide scope, an unreasonable budget of $18 million, 18 full-time employees and three members with a track record of hostility towards Israel chosen to lead the inquiry, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has initiated a permanent “Commission of Inquiry” (COI) into Israel, which constitutes a blatant and unprecedented direct attack on Israel.
The pretext for this inquiry was to investigate the May 2021, 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas, in which Hamas fired thousands of indiscriminate rockets towards Israeli towns, killing innocent Israelis and Palestinians alike. The real reason for this inquiry though is to accuse Israel of systematic discrimination and repression based on the national, ethnic, racial or religious identity of Palestinians. In other words, to classify Israel as an Apartheid state.
The UN refuses to allow the facts and the reality on the ground to divert it from its course. A reality in which Arab Israelis are intertwined in all aspects of the Israeli society. They are leading commanders in the Israeli Defense Forces, they hold high positions in the Israeli Police Forces, and they serve as ministers, diplomats, and even judges at the Israeli Supreme Court. But all of this is completely irrelevant for the UN.
As part of the orchestrated apartheid campaign, Amnesty International, the world’s largest human rights organization and a leading player in antisemitic campaigns, published a 211-page report accusing Israel of implementing an institutionalized regime of Jewish oppression and control over the Palestinians. The report denies Israel’s right to exist as the nation state of the Jewish people. It is a clear and blatant demonstration of modern antisemitism. It features twisted legal analyses and a series of fabrications intertwined with ridiculous terminology. One that describes, inter alia, the designated terror group Hamas, as an “Armed Group”.
The publication of the report at this time is intended to strengthen the legitimacy of the UNHRC Committee and its conclusions. A foregone conclusion. In addition, Amnesty calls on the international community to exercise pressure on Israel by calling for an Arms Embargo on Israel and calling on the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague to investigate Israel for committing the crime of Apartheid.
Israel understands very well that this is a rigged game. The committee’s conclusions were reached even before the committee began its work. I expect that the committee will determine that Israel is an apartheid state.
A similar process took place several months ago when the International Criminal Court in The Hague announced the opening of a criminal investigation against Israel, in a disgraceful political decision that lacks any legal or moral justification.
Israel has officially announced that it will not cooperate with the UNHRC probe and will not allow its members to enter Israel. Israel has recently refused a request by Ms. Navi Pillay, the Commission’s chair to meet with Israeli officials. This will not be the first time that Israel chooses not to cooperate with initiatives and resolutions that meet all the characteristics of modern antisemitism. Open boycott instead of cooperation, is Israel’s new approach.
PETITION TO THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
Dear United Nations Human Rights Council,
I stand with the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, an Israeli NGO fighting to promote human rights, defend democracy, and improve the overall quality of life for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and find it of the utmost importance to reject the so-called independent commission named “The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel”.
The mandate and structure of this “inquiry” have been designed to rewrite history from 1948, to find Israel guilty of apartheid and to declare the “root causes” of “conflict” to be Jewish infringement of Muslim rights. The commission’s plan is to falsely accuse Israel of racism, to validate criminal prosecutions of Israelis and to call upon “third states” and “business enterprises” to boycott, divest and sanction Israel.
Also, the three members of this Commission are anything but independent. The head of the commission, Navi Pillay, was a key leader of the 2001 UN Durban World Conference against Racism which called Israel a racist state. As United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights during the 2008-9 and 2014 Gaza wars, Pillay played a pivotal role in promoting the Goldstone report and the outrageous slander that Israel targeted and murdered children. Since leaving office, she’s made a habit of promoting BDS and accusing Israel of apartheid. In addition, the two other members of the committee, Miloon Kothari and Chris Sidoti, both hold anti-Israel extremism and Palestinian partisanship records.
The result of this witch hunt is a foregone conclusion. Therefore we demand the Human Rights Council to revoke the resolution forming this commission.
Human Shields = UN War Crimes
Jerusalem Institute of Justice- Submission to The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel
Dear Honorable Commission,
We, the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, are a not-for-profit human rights organization, with Special Consultative Status at the UN Economic and Social Council, fighting to promote human rights, defend democracy, and improve the overall quality of life for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Due to our hope of ever-lasting peace in the region, we find it of the utmost importance to address your call for submissions of relevant information and documentation to the mandate of the Commission.
The attached report concerning Hamas’s actions during Protective Edge Operation (the 2014 Gaza war) was filed by our organization at the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on the 6th of March 2017. We argued that a full investigation of crimes committed within the Palestinian territories should be pursued, and a case should be lodged, against Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political wing of Hamas, for his role in the commission of war crimes during the 2014 Gaza war. Following this communication, and others, an investigation of the “Situation in Palestine” was commenced by the Chief Prosecutor of the ICC on the 3rd of March 2021. The submission of this report is in accordance with the COI’s mandate to collect evidence and information of abuses of international human rights law and identify those responsible.
There were two primary war crimes committed by Hamas militants during the war within the Gaza strip. First, they consistently used civilians for military protection and purposes, placing the Gazan population in grave danger as “human shields.” This was done by firing rockets and mortars from densely populated areas, by encouraging (and sometimes forcing) civilians to remain in potential military targets, and by storing rockets in schools, hospitals, mosques, and other civilian structures. Second, the rockets Hamas used during the war are inherently indiscriminate under international law, and were therefore unlawful to use. These rockets are unable to be controlled, and therefore could not accurately be fired at lawful military targets.
These heinous crimes reoccurred during the most recent Gaza conflict in May 2021– Hamas fired more than 4,360 rockets and mortars from residential areas. Of those, approximately 680 misfired and fell into the Gaza Strip, killing Palestinians and damaging Palestinian property, and 3,570 of the remaining rockets struck Israeli towns and cities. Thirteen Israelis were killed, and hundreds were injured. These war crimes are also considered criminal activity pursuant to Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court – “War Crime of Using Protected Persons as Shields”.
We urge the commission to look into these violations of Human Rights committed by Hamas and include them in their report due to be presented in the Human Rights Council’s June regular session.
Yours sincerely,
Flavia Sevald, CEO,
Jerusalem Institute of Justice,
JIJ Gains Special Consultative Status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council
The Jerusalem Institute of Justice has obtained Special Consultative Status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council. This is a great honor as only about 60 Israeli organizations have this status and only a handful NGOs that deal with human rights. Today JIJ joins that list.
So what does this mean for the important work that we do on behalf of Israel on the world stage?
- - We will provide expert analysis on issues directly from our experience in the field.
- - JIJ will serve as an early warning agent on human rights issues and more.
- - We will help monitor and implement international agreements.
- - We will help raise public awareness on relevant issues.
- - We will contribute with essential information at United Nations events.
- - We will have the opportunity to attend international conferences and events and make written and oral statements there.
- - We will organize side events.
- - JIJ will be able to enter the United Nations premises and have the opportunity to network and lobby for Israel and much more.
The United Nations ECOSOC provides JIJ the opportunity to be heard by a global audience and directly contribute to its agenda.
Let's continue to impact real change and fight injustice together. Share this great news with your friends and family and if you are able to, donate by clicking the button below and let's embark on this new chapter together.
UN-Believable?
Article by Charlotte Van Der Gucht.
The UN report on the Gaza demonstrations condemns Israel. No surprise.
The weekly “great march” alongside the security fence was supposed to be a totally peaceful demonstration by Palestinian civilians. However, with Hamas working behind the scenes on the Palestinian side, this demonstration turned into a violent confrontation. In February of this year, the United Nations (UN) presented their findings on the Gaza demonstrations held between March and December 2018.
Both parties’ actions during the demonstrations were investigated. However, the UN report is largely dedicated to the condemnation of only one party, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). The commission mainly accuses IDF soldiers of killing demonstrators who didn’t pose an imminent threat to life, including children.
The UNknown: Objectivity is sought but rarely present
The UN’s report is drafted by an ‘independent international commission of inquiry’. But how reliable is such a commission if we look at the overall relation between the UN and Israel?
Every year for the past five years, over 20 UN resolutions have been directed against the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel. Whereas approximately 5 UN resolutions were directed at all countries in the world, combined! Let’s be clear: over a striking 80% of the UN resolutions were directed against Israel only. Israel does not claim to be faultless, but these numbers are astonishing.
Critical questions and concerns from members of the international community such as the UN are essential for the sake of justice. However, these numbers reveal a disproportionate targeting of Israel. It makes one wonder how objective this UN report is.
UNbelievable
“In the commission’s view, the demonstrations were civilian in nature.”
The report mentions that 183 allegedly ‘innocent’ Palestinians lost their lives. However, the statistics of the Intelligence and Terrorism information center (ITIC) confirm that “as for the identity of the fatalities 150 of 183 Palestinians were found to be affiliated with Hamas or with other terrorist organizations”.
The IDF qualified their actions by stating that members of Hamas were among the civilian protestors. They were responding to a new security threat, as the protests masked terror activities which include the launching of both incendiary kites and balloons filled with explosives. These in many cases were thrown by children. The devices caused many thousands of acres of farmland, animals and wildlife to burn creating an ecological disaster.
“Children are intentionally killed by the IDF”
35 of the 183 Palestinian losses were unfortunately children. The UN report accuses the IDF of having intentionally killed these children. But the real question is, who is responsible for these losses? The report does not reveal the sad context of Hamas using children as a method of warfare. Children are used as both human shields and child soldiers.
The education system in the Gaza strip, controlled by Hamas, systematically encourages children from a very young age to join the battle, to become martyrs. Later on, as adolescents they will attend summer camps where they will undergo military training. Ultimately, the children will be brainwashed to believe that Israel is their enemy, up to the point where they will join the demonstrations and risk their lives for the sake of Hamas. This is a despicable method, however, one that is never condemned by the UN.
Not only the Palestinian children, but the entire Palestinian population suffers under Hamas’ de facto control. Hundreds of protesters were paid to join the protests and others were coerced. Why did the UN report not mention this abuse even once? Again, critical reports and concerns on the conflict and demonstrations must be raised. But wouldn’t it be fair to investigate both sides with the same attention?
Adhering to international standards
It is beyond any dispute that alleged misconducts of IDF soldiers should be investigated and if necessary prosecuted. But the question is by whom? The UN calls upon the International Criminal Court (The ICC) in The Hague to investigate the actions of IDF soldiers. However, the ICC has no standing if Israel takes care of the investigations itself. This is what is called the principle of complementarity.
This principle is simple but ultra-relevant: The ICC cannot investigate alleged crimes when a country domestically opens a serious investigation adhering to international standards.
The Turkel Commission (consisting of independent international legal observers), in 2013, verified that the Israeli self-investigation system meets these international standards. An example of Israel’s willingness to scrutinize itself, is the case of IDF soldier, Elor Azaria.
Azaria shot in the head and fatally wounded a neutralized terrorist while standing less than 2 meters away from him. This disproportionate reaction has been investigated and led to the conviction of Elor Azaria for manslaughter on 4th of January 2017. This case proves that Israel is not afraid to investigate their own defense forces, although the investigations received a lot of criticism from the Israeli public. Examining your own defense forces is not a popular policy. Nevertheless, Israel continues to do so for the sake of justice and democracy.
6 Moral Teachings from Assad and other Criminals
Written by Yarden Biyalistok Cohen
Before addressing our topic, I would like to thank you readers, for not letting hate and prejudice guide your life, and for your willingness to establish your perspective on facts and on more than one point of view.
The topic we are about to discuss is regarding the resolutions made by the UN General Assembly on November 29, also known as "Palestine Day". I won't try to argue against the very existence of such a day, although trying to promote an "Israel Day" at the UN would be a better joke than having a day dedicated to bicycles, or the full moon (both are real by the way and take place at the 30th of April and June 3rd respectively, or even better "Tuna day" which occurs on the 2nd of May).
Six resolutions were made on "Palestine Day", and were signed by countries that are almost the dictionary definition of an oppressive tyranny, and human rights violators, such as Sudan, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. The resolutions of the General Assembly all addressed Israel, and were aimed at undermining its legitimacy and sovereignty. On that day, the Chair of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People Cheikh Niang (Senegal), wore a scarf that revealed his “objectivity”, and his willingness to let the discussion be “impartial”. On the scarf, of course, was the flag of the Palestinian Authority (maybe on May 2nd he will show up in a scarf showing solidarity with the tuna fish).
In most cases, we would simply continue by stating that the demonization of Israel and the Jewish people is not news. Unfortunately Anti-Semitism was around way before the establishment of the UN and most likely to stay here after it. Nevertheless, the first of the 6 resolutions calls for the deliberation on "fifty years of occupation" and to express solidarity and support to the Palestinians. The second resolution asks to continue the collaboration with the Palestinian people and their leaders, widen the scope of documentation and expand the Question of Palestine’s website. The third resolution asks to continue investigations into the legal ramifications of the "Israeli West Bank Barrier". The Security Fence is exactly that, a fence that was built to stop the entrance of suicide bombers and other terrorists into Israel, and the last part of it was finished back in 2006. The Security Fence was under meticulous scrutiny by the Israeli Justice system. This General Assembly resolution only emphasizes its real goals, to undermine Israeli sovereignty. As proof the committee asks to investigate within Israel's territory, not just the areas where the Security Fence is located. I wonder if the final report would state that the proof that the Fence is unnecessary is that the investigating operatives were not actually killed by suicide bombers.
The fourth and fifth resolutions express concern regarding the provocation that took place at Jerusalem's Holy Sites, during Tisha B'av which is a Jewish day of grief, remembering the desolation of both Temples. The Jewish people in Israel requested to pray at the Temple Mount, which is inside Israel's borders. The Jordanian press published bombastic headlines like "The Jews are storming al-Aqsa", which painted the act of praying with false war-like colors, aiming to harm Israel's legitimacy. Apparently you deserve freedom to worship only if you are not Jewish.
The last resolution sheds an even brighter light upon the infamous UN bias against Israel. The resolution calls for Israel to give back the Israeli Golan Heights to Syria (that is also a signatory of the resolution). Israel annexed the Golan Heights after Syria attacked in 1973; the attack took place on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, a day of fasting for the Jewish people. The Syrian forces rushed into the Israeli cities aiming to annihilate them. After Israel repelled the attack, the government decided to annex the Israeli Golan as a natural security border. A portion of the mountain ridge stayed in Syrian hands, thus serving as a natural boundary for both countries.
Since then, that front has been quiet, showing how Israel has managed to use a mountain as a peace resource. The people of the Golan Heights (almost all are Druze) have established good and ongoing relations with the Israeli people and the Israeli government. They enjoy freedom, equality, economic development and of course human rights. Their brothers and sisters that are unfortunately not on the Israeli side of the border, have suffered oppression from the Syrian regime, the Syrian civil war, and have also fallen victim of extermination attempts by ISIS.
During the Syrian civil war Israel has done its best to relieve civilians from as much suffering as possible, by using its military to provide to countless Syrian civilians with medical assistance. The very existence of Israel serves as protection to Syrian citizens who flee to the border. Israel has cared for the wellbeing of the Syrian people far more than the Syrian regime, who has slaughtered hundreds of thousands of their own people.
This resolution asks to cede Israeli territory to Syria and by doing that further increase the body count. Israel of course cannot accept this resolution since it jeopardizes the safety and security of its citizens, Jews, Arabs and Druze. In addition, I want to ask you, if you can help me find the connection between this resolution and the Palestinian people’s suffering?
As Israelis, we lost our trust in the UN long ago. From here it seems as if it serves as an international Anti-Semitic arm, which promotes the exact opposite ideals than the ones it was founded upon. I urge you to help reclaim truth and reason! Help us protect our Druze brothers, our freedom of worship, and the purity of intentions in the UN.
The Darkest Hour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rnhmu3H_DI
We don't have to go far to receive a clear picture of human injustices. And yet some of us choose not to see. The UN should open it's eyes, it has the opportunity to change lives.
The UNknown Truth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o5Aweqc4Ns
The UNknown Truth. UN General Assembly resolutions against Israel vs. the rest of the world. Is it balanced?
Letter to Nikki Haley
The Honorable Nikki Haley
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
United States Mission to the United Nations
799 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
Dear Ambassador Nikki Haley,
The Jerusalem Institute of Justice (JIJ) is a non-government organization located in the heart of Jerusalem, Israel. Our sole focus is the cultivation and defense of human rights, the rule of law, and true democracy for all people, both in Israel, and the Middle East as a whole. We regard ourselves as a bridge for the indomitable ambitions of the United States and Israel; for the values that both our countries have always shared.
Ambassador Haley, the entire JIJ team sincerely applauds your staunch support of Israel and human rights worldwide. The bias shown against Israel by the UN has long been at the forefront of our minds, but we are happy to see that your presence in the United Nations is developing a new narrative with a more balanced perspective on human rights. Your most recent proposal to condemn Hamas for the violence perpetuated at the Gaza border has reassured us that an unbiased voice of reason can, and will prevail at the UN General Assembly. The UN approves resolution after resolution to unjustly condemn Israel while Hamas's crimes fall on the deaf ears of the General Assembly. Your courage to stand up for justice by advocating for a narrative of symmetry, wherein Hamas’s atrocities can finally be denounced, inspired 62 countries to vote for justice. It is a triumph to see other countries beginning to stand up and recognize the truth, and your part in this cannot be overstated. Throughout the world, your denunciation of terrorism and your support for Israel is ringing true.
We would also like to point out, and praise, your recent courageous decision to leave the United Nations Human Rights Council. This action speaks volumes about true commitment to the global support of human rights. We stand behind you in the conviction that your departure may draw attention to the hypocrisy of Human Rights Council. We agree, wholeheartedly, with you that the council has developed a disquieting history of attacking Israel, while monumental human rights violations by countries including Saudi Arabia, Cuba, and Qatar have gone unaddressed. Your decision affirms the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel. Hopefully, your actions will provoke the reorganization of the crucial Human Rights Council into a more effective and unbiased assembly.
The JIJ stands ready to aid you, Ambassador Haley, in whatever capacity we are able to. Our staff is constantly hard at work researching issues of human rights in the Middle East. We are currently focused on a UN project aiming to expose anti-Israel bias by deconstructing each resolution made against Israel, and responding with instances of the same injustice in other parts of the world that the UN conveniently ignores. Our research demonstrates the tremendous bias existing in past General Assembly resolutions against Israel. Last year alone, 21 resolutions were passed against Israel, while only 6 were passed towards the rest of the world combined. This is nothing short of a deep-seated prejudice that we cannot afford to ignore.
Once again, we here at the JIJ thank you for all that you do. If there is anything that the JIJ can do to support you and the excellent work you are accomplishing, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
The JIJ Team
Do your Job! Nikolay
An open letter to Nickolay Mladenov, supposed promoter of peace in the Middle East
The Honorable Nikolay Mladenov
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process
Dear Mr. Mladenov,
Your latest comments regarding the Israel/Gaza conflict leave me feeling confused. You are quoted saying, “If [the UN] stopped talking to Israelis and Palestinians about peace, Israel would come off as a lot worse in world media” (https://hamodia.com/2018/06/13/un-envoy-helping-gazans-comes-return-israeli-soldiers-remains/). From that comment, I can infer that you mean that the UN is helping Israel’s image improve with the rest of the world. I would very much like to hear you elaborate just how the UN is helping present a positive image of Israel on the world stage?
Was the UN attempting to support Israel and present a positive image when passing a resolution against Israel for its response to the Gaza border fence riots? It was admitted by a Hamas official, prior to the voting of the resolution, that 50 of the 62 rioters killed at the Gaza border riot were Hamas terrorists. Knowing this, the UN still voted 120-8 that Israel used excessive force. How can you say that Israel protecting its border from actual terrorists was unjustified? Resolutions like this, that unfairly target Israel and tell half-truths, make it appear, Mr. Nikolay Mladenov, that the UN is not preventing the worsening of Israel’s world image, but advocating for it.
Supporting Israel doesn’t have to mean saying positive things about the Jewish state. You could show support simply by being unbiased, and by disavowing countries or groups when they attempt to harm Israel. You don’t have to look hard to find an instance of Hamas doing something worth condemning. Hamas fires rockets from heavily populated areas into Israel which puts Gazan civilians at risk. Hamas places military compounds in the basements of schools and hospitals thereby endangering children and the sick. Most recently, Hamas sent terrorists to the Gaza border fence in an attempt to use a riot as a smokescreen to sneak into Israel and cause harm however possible. If the UN really cared about representing the Israel/Gaza conflict fairly, and not just trying to negatively paint Israel as the bad guy, wouldn’t the UN condemn some of these actions by Hamas?
Just recently, Nikki Haley, the United States’ ambassador to the UN proposed a resolution to condemn Hamas's violent border riots. What happened? The proposal didn’t even receive a 2/3 majority. Why couldn’t the UN condemn such an obvious wrongdoing by Hamas. Mr. Mladenov, this complete unwillingness to condemn even the most obvious violations gives the appearance that the UN does not want to “support both sides” as you say, but instead only criticize Israel.
Mr. Mladenov, your job as the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process is to, “lead the UN system in all political and diplomatic efforts related to the peace process in the Middle East and to coordinate the humanitarian and development work of UN agencies and programs in the occupied Palestinian territory, in support of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people.” How does your agency support a terrorist organization that has complete control over the Gaza Strip? Does your agency support legitimizing a terrorist group by giving them a country to control? How does supporting a group, whose mission is to destroy Israel, show Israelis that the UN is trying to protect Israel’s world image?
The United Nations is designed to prevent conflict. Instead of preparing for battle, countries should be able to come before the UN in agreement to prevent bloodshed. But when the UN consistently attacks only one side, it makes a State believe that their voice doesn’t matter, or even worse, that the UN is against them. Israel has time and time again shown restraint against its enemies while Hamas shows no such restraint in its plans to destroy Israel, kill Jews, and do so while killing its own citizens. You say that the UN helps support Israel’s image on the world stage, but your actions show otherwise.
Constantly waiting,
A concerned intern of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice