India skips UNHRC resolution to probe human rights violation in Gaza
Netanyahu condemns UN body probe order
India has abstained from the resolution at UNHRC to set up a Commission of Inquiry on human rights violations in occupied Palestinian territory including East Jerusalem and in Israel.
New Delhi, May 28, 2021:
India has abstained on the resolution at UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to set up Commission of Inquiry on human rights violation in occupied Palestinian territory including East Jerusalem and in Israel, said Indian envoy to United Nations (Geneva), Indra Mani Pandey.
“India abstains on resolution at UNHRC to set up Commission of Inquiry (on human rights violation in occupied Palestinian Territory incl East Jerusalem & in Israel). With 24 members voting in favour & 9 against, resolution is adopted,” Indra mani Pandey tweeted.
24 of the council’s 47 members voted in favor of the resolution while 9 were against it following which UN Human Rights Council decided to create an open-ended international investigation into violations surrounding the latest Gaza violence, and into the “systematic” abuses in the Palestinian territories and inside Israel.
‘Yet another example of UN Human Rights Council’s blatant anti-Israel obsession’
Denouncing the UNHRC decision as “shameful”, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it “yet another example of the UN Human Rights Council’s blatant anti-Israel obsession.”
Meanwhile, Palestinians welcomed the move.
The fighting between Israel and Hamas started on May 10 when terrorists from Gaza fired barrages of rockets at Israel in East Jerusalem.
Israel retaliated with hundreds of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip saying the infrastructure of Hamas and other militant groups in the enclave were targeted.
As per the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 277 Palestinian residents died in the conflict while Al Jazeera said around 12 Israeli lost their lives before Egypt brokered a ceasefire between the two sides last week.
Regret UN move to launch Gaza probe: US
Reacting to the probe order, the United States said it deeply regretted a decision by the UNHRC saying the action today imperil the progress that has been made.
On May 26, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said that the United States will be opposed to any steps that either of the sides of the Israeli-Palestine conflict takes to undermine prospects of the two-state solution, reported ANI.
He gave this statement after meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The Secretary of State further announced that the Joe Biden administration will push US Congress for an additional USD 75 million as development and economic assistance for the Palestinians this year.
