UN official to Security Council: Penalize Israel over Gaza op

High Commissioner for Human Rights says Israel responsible for civilian deaths in Gaza, 'confiscation' of Arab land in east Jerusalem

Yitzhak Benhorin|Published: 11.11.09 , 23:20

Citing the Goldstone Report, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay told the Security Council Wednesday that Israel was responsible for the killing of more than 1,000 civilians in Gaza and attacks on schools and mosques and UN facilities.

Gaza War Report

Goldstone disappointed by 'lukewarm' US reaction to report

Reuters

'I hoped our call to take legal steps against people at national level would fall on more open ears,' he says

Goldstone disappointed by 'lukewarm' US reaction to report

The Goldstone Report states that both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes during their December-January conflict in the Gaza Strip. The US is heading a group of nations in the efforts to prevent a Security Council discussion on the report, which was recently adopted by the General Assembly.

"The corrosive effect of impunity on both human rights and peace is evident in the case of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as documented in the report of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission headed by distinguished international jurist Richard Goldstone, which has been transmitted to this Council," Pillay wrote.

"The report lays out in detail the nature and scope of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law perpetrated on the civilian population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, where in Gaza earlier this year Israeli forces killed well over one thousand civilians and attacked homes, schools, mosques, food and water installations, and UN facilities."

In a speech delivered by her deputy, Pillay also said that "armed Palestinian groups" in Gaza fired rockets and mortars into southern Israel, killing Israeli civilians, causing trauma and injuries.

However, she focused on Israel's activities in the "occupied Palestinian territories", saying that the siege (on Gaza) and the Israeli offensive in the Hamas-ruled territory constitute a violation of international human rights and humanitarian law.

"Collective punishment, as evidenced by the crippling Israeli blockade and the devastating military offensive, is a violation of international human rights and humanitarian law, as are the forcible evictions of Arabs, the demolition of homes, and the expropriation of occupied East Jerusalem lands for Israeli settlements," wrote Pillay.

"Mr. President, until meaningful steps are taken to end impunity for these violations and assert the applicability of international law, peace and security will remain illusive for all the people of the region. The Council is urged to embrace the recommendations in the report so as to secure accountability for all perpetrators, and to fully integrate human rights guarantees into peacemaking efforts."

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gabriela Shalev is also expected to address the Security Council session. She said her speech will focus on the difficulties democratic countries face in their fight against terror.