UN Human Rights Council Debate on Report of Commission of Inquiry into Gaza 'Peaceful Protests', March 18, 2019. Santiago Canton, Chair of UN Inquiry: "We found reasonable grounds to believe that the Israeli security forces committed serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. These violations clearly warrant criminal investigation and prosecution." Sara Hossain, Member of UN Inquiry: "We have provided documentation to the High Commissioner’s office... we would urge members of the council and the international community to ensure that those [Israeli soldiers] are brought to the International Criminal Court."
The State of Palestine: "This murder and bloodshed is the dominant tactic of the occupying force. Soldiers have violated international humanitarian law and human rights. Some of these abuses were war crimes, crimes against humanity." Pakistan for 56-nation Islamic Group : "In the light of this report, we condemn the ongoing barbaric aggression by the Israeli occupation forces against civilian protesters in the occupied and besieged Gaza Strip." Syria: "The document has made clear that they were killed in cold blood." Saudi Arabia: "We hail the report of the Commission of Inquiry. We firmly condemn the aggression at the hand of the Israeli forces." Turkey: "The report of the commission is testimony of Israel’s unlawful behavior and disregard of human rights. Israel continues to enjoy complete impunity regarding the events in Gaza." Egypt: "We have followed with deep concern the excessive use of power by the Israeli army against the Palestinian demonstrators in Gaza..." Lebanon: "These crimes are war crimes. Halt these barbaric attacks." Iraq: "We highly appreciate the work of the commission and deplore the non-cooperation of the occupation forces with it." COL. RICHARD KEMP, ON BEHALF OF UN WATCH: "Mr. President, I was a British commander in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan and have extensive experience dealing with rioting crowds whipped up by armed terrorists. I have observed the violent demonstrations on the Gaza border many times, from the front lines — unlike you, Mr. Chairman, and your commission, who have never been there. These are organized efforts to break through the fence and slaughter Jewish civilians. Hamas also set out to induce the IDF to kill Gaza civilians, to instigate global condemnation of Israel. The IDF took every-possible step to avoid Palestinian casualties. But using live ammunition as a last resort was the only way they could defend their own people. The commission grotesquely perverts this reality. I accuse this council of handing a deliberately biased mandate to the commission, intended to defame Israel. I accuse this commission of misrepresenting Hamas’s actions, twisting organized violence into “peaceful protest.” I accuse this commission of acting as an instrument of Hamas terrorism by falsely accusing Israel of crimes against humanity, by validating terror tactics and by inciting killing and violence. I accuse this commission of betraying the Palestinian people by failing to condemn their Hamas oppressors — who as we meet today are firing on genuine peaceful protesters in Gaza. I accuse this commission of wicked prejudice against the Jewish State and its army in a manner calculated to undermine its ability to defend itself. Greater violence is planned by Hamas in a few days. Violence this council could restrain by condemning Hamas for its murderous actions and rejecting this outrageous report. I appeal to every member state to repudiate it. If you do not, you will have the blood of Palestinians and Israelis on your hands." CLICK FOR VIDEO |