Friday, August 1, 2014, New York, NY…Statement by Robert G. Sugarman, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations:
“The series of actions and statements emanating from United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay regarding the Gaza conflict, appear to be a “scorched earth policy” as she is about to finish her tenure. Commissioner Pillay puts the onus for the conflict solely on Israel and the Council instituted a commission of investigation of only one party to the conflict. She consistently equates an internationally recognized terrorist organization that fires missiles indiscriminately at civilian populations and digs tunnels under an international border to carry out barbaric terrorist attacks, with a member state of the United Nations living up to its fundamental obligation to protect its citizens and borders.
“This bias reached its apex with the reported condemnation today of Israel and the United States by Commissioner Pillay for not providing the Iron Dome technology to the Hamas terrorist regime in Gaza. She made the statement at the latest in a series of emergency meetings of the Geneva based United Nations Human Rights Council which inevitably leads to condemnations of Israel. She failed to mention that the joint US-Israel missile defense system was developed for defense against the tens of thousands of missiles in the hands of terrorist groups surrounding Israel, nor did she mention Hamas’ placement of missiles in UN schools and facilities.
“While massive violations of human rights are taking place throughout the Middle East, and hundreds of thousands are dead in Syria alone, and countless religious minorities are persecuted, Commissioner Pillay focuses only on one area of interest. During her six year tenure, Israel was condemned forty seven times, while Hamas has never been subject to condemnation. Her actions and words further undermine the credibility of the United Nations Human Rights Council and make a mockery of its lofty ideals. This is a new low even for the UNHRC.”
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