{"id":136233,"date":"2018-05-18T18:07:47","date_gmt":"2018-05-18T18:07:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=136233"},"modified":"2020-07-22T00:52:37","modified_gmt":"2020-07-22T04:52:37","slug":"human-rights-council-holds-a-special-session-on-the-deteriorating-human-rights-situation-in-the-opt-press-release","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/human-rights-council-holds-a-special-session-on-the-deteriorating-human-rights-situation-in-the-opt-press-release\/","title":{"rendered":"Human Rights Council Holds a Special Session on the Deteriorating Human Rights Situation in the oPt – Press Release"},"content":{"rendered":"
18 May 2018<\/strong><\/div>\n
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fran\u00e7ais<\/a><\/div>\n
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video (1st meeting)<\/a><\/div>\n
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video (2nd meeting)<\/a><\/div>\n
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GENEVA (18 May 2018) The Human Rights Council this morning opened a special session on \u201cthe deteriorating human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem,\u201d in which it heard addresses by Zeid Ra\u2019ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Micheal Lynk, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967.<\/div>\n
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Opening the session, Vojislav \u0160uc, President of the Human Rights Council, reminded that the request for the convening of the special session had been supported by Angola, Belgium, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, China, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. \u00a0The following observer States also supported the holding of the session: Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Costa Rica, France, Indonesia, Ireland, Iran, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Kuwait, Malta, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Oman, Portugal, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, State of Palestine, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uruguay, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Djibouti, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.<\/p>\n

High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra\u2019ad Al Hussein deplored the appalling recent events that had occurred in the occupied Palestinian territories, killing dozens and injuring thousands of people. \u00a0Completely unarmed Palestinian demonstrators were shot in the back, head, the arms, the front and other parts of their body, with live ammunition. \u00a0Even if some demonstrators had attempted to use Molotov cocktails and wire cutters to cut fences between Gaza and Israel, these did not constitute a threat which could justify the use of lethal force. \u00a0All of the 1.9 million people who lived in Gaza were living behind fences and suffering more and more restrictions, and greater poverty. \u00a0They had little hope for employment and their infrastructure was crumbling. \u00a0Israel, as an occupying power under international law, was obliged to protect the population of Gaza and ensure their welfare. \u00a0Palestinians had exactly the same human rights as Israelis did. \u00a0High Commissioner Zeid endorsed calls by many States and observers for an investigation that was international, independent and impartial \u2013 in the hope that the truth regarding these matters would lead to justice. \u00a0Those responsible for violations in the end must be held accountable. \u00a0The occupation must end, so the people of Palestine could be liberated, and the people of Israel liberated from it. \u00a0He urged Israel to act in accordance with its international obligations.<\/p>\n

Addressing the Council in a video message, Micheal Lynk, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, noted that the events in Gaza in the past week and the past two months, and the past 11 years haunted the conscience of the international community. \u00a0A tiny crowded enclave of land, holding two million people under occupation, cut off from the outside world by an imposing and comprehensive air, sea and land blockade, living in an utterly dire situation that the United Nations had called unsustainable and unliveable and a form of collective punishment, seeking the elemental human demands of freedom, justice and the right to enjoy the fruits of life, like anyone else. \u00a0Mr. Lynk noted that the overwhelming majority of Gaza inhabitants had been committed to non-violence over the past seven weeks, armed only with the oldest and most human of aspirations: to live free in one\u2019s own land. \u00a0Over the past seven weeks, over 100 Palestinian demonstrators had died at the hands of the Israeli military. \u00a0It was Israel that remained the occupying power, because it maintained \u201ceffective control\u201d over Gaza and its inhabitants. \u00a0And it was the Israel Defence Forces which, over the past seven weeks, had fired lethal ammunition again and again into the crowds of demonstrators, notwithstanding the calls of the international community and the demands of human rights defenders. \u00a0But, the responsibility for the grim conditions in Gaza also rested with Hamas, with the Palestinian Authority, and with Egypt.<\/p>\n

Israel speaking as a concerned country, noted that the proposed resolution was yet again politically motivated, stressing that the people of Gaza were not seen as enemies of Israel. \u00a0There was no occupation in Gaza; it was a myth. \u00a0Israel had unilaterally withdrawn from Gaza in 2005. \u00a0Hamas was cynically exploiting its own population in a violent campaign against Israel. \u00a0It was regrettable that so many were fooled by the narrative of peaceful protests with knives and Molotov cocktails.<\/p>\n

Also speaking as a concerned country, the State of Palestine stressed that the killing and criminal acts of the Israeli occupation forces against civilians who protested their refusal of occupation policies was unacceptable. \u00a0The demonstrators had asked for freedom and wanted to be free from occupation. \u00a0This Council must help and must decide on an international independent fact\u2013finding mission in order to determine the facts. \u00a0If Palestinians had carried out any violations, they were ready to shoulder the responsibilities. \u00a0However, the other party must also be held accountable.<\/p>\n

In the ensuing discussion, delegations called on all parties to show restraint and condemned the disproportionate and unrestrained use of force against civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories in the past weeks, most notably in the Gaza Strip. \u00a0They agreed that an independent inquiry should be conducted in the recent events in the Gaza Strip to prevent future impunity and guarantee redress. \u00a0An independent and transparent investigation of human rights violations committed by all parties would shed light on what had happened and why. \u00a0Some delegations noted that everyone had known what the consequences of the relocation of the United States embassy to Jerusalem would be. \u00a0Sadly, those fears had been realized. \u00a0Other delegations, while concerned about the recent outbreak of violence along the Gaza fence, observed that the special session was blatantly taking sides and that it ignored the real culprit for it, the terrorist organization Hamas. \u00a0They expressed a view that Israel had legitimate security concerns, and that it had the right to protect its population.<\/p>\n

Speaking were Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Venezuela on behalf of the Non Aligned Movement, Togo on behalf of the African Group, United Arab Emirates on behalf of the Arab Group, Bulgaria on behalf of the European Union, Brazil, Qatar, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Pakistan, Peru, South Africa, Belgium, Ukraine, Democratic Republic of Congo, United States, Afghanistan, Cuba, China, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Australia, Senegal, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Nepal, Tunisia, Angola, Malaysia, Iceland, France, Holy See, Bolivia, Liechtenstein, Jordan, Thailand, Uruguay, Yemen, Libya, Algeria, India, Tajikistan, Syria, Viet Nam, Maldives, Sweden, Democratic People\u2019s Republic of Korea, Bangladesh, Malta, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Mali, Sudan, Lebanon, Turkey, Namibia, Mauritania, Oman, Iran, Sri Lanka, Botswana, New Zealand, Bahrain, Morocco, Guyana, Kuwait, Canada, Russian Federation and Ireland.<\/p>\n

The special session will resume today at 2 p.m. when the Council will start taking action on the proposed draft resolution.<\/p>\n

Statement by the President of the Council\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

VOJISLAV \u0160UC, President of the Human Rights Council, declared open the special session on the deteriorating human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and reminded that the request for its convening had been received on 15 May. \u00a0The request was supported by the following Member States of the Council: Angola, Belgium, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, China, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.<\/p>\n

The following observer States also supported the holding of the session: Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Costa Rica, France, Indonesia, Ireland, Iran, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Kuwait, Malta, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Oman, Portugal, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, State of Palestine, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uruguay, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Djibouti, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.<\/p>\n

The President of the Council appealed to everyone to use appropriate language and to maintain the dignity and respect inherent in discussions.<\/p>\n

Statement by the High Commissioner for Human Rights<\/strong><\/p>\n

ZEID RA\u2019AD AL HUSSEIN, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said appalling recent events in Gaza had called this Council into special session. \u00a0Since the protests began on 30 March, 87 Palestinians had been killed by the Israeli security forces in the context of the demonstrations, including 12 children; 29 others, including three children, were killed in other circumstances. \u00a0And over 12,000 people had been injured, more than 3,500 of them by live ammunition. \u00a0The violence had reached a peak on Monday 14 May, when 43 demonstrators were killed by Israeli forces \u2013 and the number sadly continued to climb, as some of the 1,360 demonstrators injured with live ammunition that day succumbed to their wounds. \u00a0These people, many of whom were completely unarmed, were shot in the back, in the chest, in the head and limbs with live ammunition, as well as rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas canisters. \u00a0Israeli forces also killed a further 17 Palestinians outside the context of the five demonstration hot spots. \u00a0Together, this figure of 60 was the highest one-day death toll in Gaza since the 2014 hostilities.<\/p>\n

This was not “a PR victory for Hamas”, in the reported words of a senior Israeli military spokesman; it was a tragedy for thousands of families. \u00a0The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had also described the demonstrators as being “paid by Hamas”, and had said the Israeli security forces “try to minimize casualties”. \u00a0But there was little evidence of any attempt to minimize casualties on Monday. \u00a0Although some of the demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails, used sling-shots to throw stones, flew burning kites into Israel, and attempted to use wire-cutters against the two fences between Gaza and Israel, these actions alone did not appear to constitute the imminent threat to life or deadly injury which could justify the use of lethal force. \u00a0The stark contrast in casualties on both sides was also suggestive of a wholly disproportionate response: on Monday, on the Israeli side, one soldier was reportedly wounded, slightly, by a stone. \u00a0Killings resulting from the unlawful use of force by an occupying power might also constitute wilful killings \u2013 a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention.<\/p>\n

Palestinians had exactly the same human rights as Israelis did. \u00a0They had the same rights to live safely in their homes, in freedom, with adequate and essential services and opportunities. \u00a0And of this essential core of entitlements due to every human being, they were systematically deprived. \u00a0All of the 1.9 million people who lived in Gaza had been penned in behind fences and had suffered progressively more restrictions and greater poverty. \u00a0After 11 years of blockade by Israel they had little hope of employment, and their infrastructure was crumbling, with an electricity crisis, inadequate health services and a decaying sewage system that constituted a threat to health. \u00a0They were forced to seek exit permits from Israel for any reason, including for specialised health care, and many of those permits were denied or delayed \u2013 including permits for the great majority of the demonstrators shot by Israeli security forces this week.
\nIsrael, as an occupying power under international law, was obligated to protect the population of Gaza and ensure their welfare. \u00a0But they were, in essence, caged in a toxic slum from birth to death; deprived of dignity; dehumanised by the Israeli authorities to such a point it appeared officials did not even consider that these men and women had a right, as well as every reason, to protest. \u00a0Nobody had been made safer by the horrific events of the past week. \u00a0The human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory continued to deteriorate. \u00a0Settlement building had again accelerated this year, together with rising settler violence. \u00a0Demolitions of private property continued, including punitive demolitions, which constituted a deplorable form of collective punishment. \u00a0Israel also continued to detain large numbers of Palestinians, including children, although under international law the detention of a child must be a measure of last resort. \u00a0The High Commissioner said he also deplored the widespread and unprincipled use of detention without trial \u2013 described as “administrative detention” \u2013 and violations of fundamental fair trial guarantees.<\/p>\n

High Commissioner Zeid endorsed calls by many States and observers for an investigation that was international, independent and impartial \u2013 in the hope that the truth regarding these matters would lead to justice. \u00a0Those responsible for violations in the end must be held accountable. \u00a0The occupation must end, so the people of Palestine could be liberated, and the people of Israel liberated from it. \u00a0He urged Israel to act in accordance with its international obligations.<\/p>\n

Statement by the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territory Occupied Since 1967<\/strong><\/p>\n

MICHAEL LYNK, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, in a video message, said that the events in Gaza in the past week and the past two months, and the past 11 years haunted the conscience of the international community. \u00a0A tiny crowded enclave of land, holding two million people under occupation, cut off from the outside world by an imposing and comprehensive air, sea and land blockade, living in an utterly dire situation that the United Nations had called unsustainable and unliveable and a form of collective punishment, seeking the elemental human demands of freedom, justice and the right to enjoy the fruits of life, like anyone else. \u00a0Mr. Lynk noted that the overwhelming majority of Gaza inhabitants had been committed to non-violence over the past seven weeks, armed only with the oldest and most human of aspirations: to live free in one\u2019s own land. \u00a0Over the past seven weeks, over 100 Palestinian demonstrators had died at the hand of the Israeli military. \u00a0Among the dead were children, journalists, health professionals, and many young unemployed men. \u00a0Many of the wounded had serious, life-long physical disabilities. \u00a0Who bore responsibility for all that? \u00a0It had to start with Israel and it political and military command. \u00a0It was Israel that had imposed the 11-year old travel and economic blockade that had strangled the Gazan economy and society. \u00a0It was Israel that remained the occupying power, because it maintained \u201ceffective control\u201d over Gaza and its inhabitants. \u00a0And it was the Israel Defence Forces which, over the past seven weeks, had fired lethal ammunition again and again into the crowds of demonstrators, notwithstanding the calls of the international community and the demands of human rights defenders. \u00a0Responsibility for the grim conditions in Gaza also rested with Hamas, with the Palestinian Authority, and with Egypt. \u00a0They also had to fulfil their obligations to the people of Gaza. \u00a0And responsibility also rested with the international community, which had the ultimate obligation to ensure that Israel respected all of its many unmet obligations under international law.<\/p>\n

Israel, as the occupying power, was obliged to uphold and respect the human rights of Palestinians living in the occupied territory. \u00a0Palestinians were entitled to their human rights, which included the right to peaceful assembly. \u00a0Mr. Lynk reiterated his concern about Israel\u2019s excessive use of force, and he pointed out that \u201cwilful killing\u201d and the \u201cwilful causing of great suffering or serious injury to body and health\u201d of civilians was both a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions and a war crime under the Rome Statute. \u00a0An attempt to approach the fence, damage the fence, or even cross the fence, by an unarmed individual faced with heavily armed soldiers, did not constitute a threat to life or serious injury that would justify the use of lethal force. \u00a0Similarly, stones, or even Molotov cocktails, thrown at significant distances towards well protected and heavily armed security forces behind defensive positions, would not rise to the level of threat necessary to justify use of lethal force. \u00a0That was a profoundly asymmetrical situation. \u00a0Thousands of unarmed demonstrators, shorn of hope, but marching in dignity, living in one of the poorest societies in the region, against the most militarily powerful and economically advanced society in the region. \u00a0Israel had been exacting an eye for an eyelash because it could, Mr. Lynk stressed. \u00a0Israelis and Palestinians were bound to each other. \u00a0They lived under the same sky, in the same land. \u00a0Their futures were intertwined. \u00a0It was in the best interests of both to finally be able to live in freedom and dignity. \u00a0Pursuing accountability, and defending human rights, was the only path to that future.<\/p>\n

Statements by the Concerned Countries<\/strong><\/p>\n

Israel, speaking as a concerned country, noted that the proposed resolution was yet again politically motivated, stressing that the people of Gaza were not seen as enemies of Israel. \u00a0There was no occupation in Gaza; it was a myth. \u00a0Israel had unilaterally withdrawn from Gaza in 2005. \u00a0Hamas was cynically exploiting its own population in a violent campaign against Israel. \u00a0It was regrettable that so many were fooled by the narrative of peaceful protests with knives and Molotov cocktails. \u00a0Israel reminded that the same Palestinian Authority refused to transfer salaries and resources to Gaza. \u00a0 Unfortunately, the special session had already succeeded in empowering and rewarding Hamas. \u00a0Israel long ago saw that the human rights of the Israelis were not on the agenda of the Council. \u00a0The violent confrontation on the Gaza fence was orchestrated by Hamas, which had ruled Gaza since 2007. \u00a0Israel\u2019s obligation to defend its own people was a principle enshrined in international law. \u00a0It was deplorable that the Council turned a blind eye to the reality on the ground. \u00a0The loss of life could have been avoided had Hamas not sent terrorists to the fence.<\/p>\n

State of Palestine, speaking as a concerned State, thanked the State organizers and sponsors of this meeting and those that had submitted the draft resolution today. \u00a0It also thanked the civil society organizations that had worked with Palestine today, as well as the High Commissioner for the accurate information in his statement on the events that had occurred since 20 March. \u00a0Finally, it thanked the Mission of Pakistan as the coordinator of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. \u00a0The declaration of the American President on the opening of the American Embassy in Jerusalem was in breach of the Geneva Conventions and human rights. \u00a0The killing and criminal acts of the Israeli occupation forces against civilians who protested their refusal of occupation policies on 20 of March was unacceptable. \u00a0On 14 March, the day of the transfer of the Embassy, the Palestinians had expressed their anger and protested against that. \u00a0The demonstrators had asked for freedom and wanted to be free from occupation. \u00a0They had been living under siege for over 10 years and under occupation for over 60 years. \u00a0The attempts in New York to call for an independent investigation had been aborted by the sponsors of hatred in spite of the very clear request by the Secretary General and many States. \u00a0Palestine was thus obliged to come to this forum – the Human Rights Council.<\/p>\n

Referring to the attempt to falsify the information, the State of Palestine underlined that the demonstrators on the streets were civilian protestors. \u00a0They were Palestinians first, and had been carrying the flag of the State of Palestine. \u00a0None of them used any lethal weapon or fire. \u00a0Palestine noted the justifications that the Human Rights Council had just heard that there was a threat against Israel, and that it had the right to self-defence. \u00a0The Ambassador of Israel had used these excuses to prevent a special session at various other fora. \u00a0The matter was now in the hands of the Human Rights Council. \u00a0This Council must help and must decide on an international independent fact\u2013finding mission in order to determine the facts. \u00a0If Palestinians had carried out any violations, they were ready to shoulder their responsibility. \u00a0However, the other party must also be held accountable.<\/p>\n

Discussion<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, expressed its strong condemnation of the arbitrary killing of more than 100 Palestinians and the disproportionate use of force by Israel. \u00a0It condemned the use of tear gas shells and live ammunition against innocent civilians, who were protesting decades of oppression and occupation along with the illegal inauguration of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem. \u00a0This inauguration was a dangerous move that not only contravened international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, but went against all the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, General Assembly and Human Rights Council, which affirmed the status of Al-Quds as an occupied territory under Israel, the occupying power, since 1967.<\/p>\n

Venezuela, speaking on behalf of the\u00a0Non-Aligned Movement, expressed its grave concern about the serious deterioration of the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, that had resulted from the ongoing unlawful policies and practices of Israel, the occupying power. \u00a0The Non-Aligned Movement condemned, in the strongest terms, the disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force by the Israeli occupying forces against Palestinian civilians. \u00a0It expressed grave concerns about the illegal, unilateral and arbitrary decision made by the Government of the United States of America to declare Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and accordingly move its embassy to the city.<\/p>\n

Togo, speaking on behalf of the African Group, expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and called for a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. \u00a0The African Group called on all parties to show restraint and it firmly condemned the excessive use of force by the Israeli armed forces. \u00a0The international community, and particularly the Human Rights Council should fully take up their role towards the Palestinian people and ensure their protection. \u00a0An independent inquiry should be conducted in the events to prevent future impunity and guarantee redress. \u00a0Finally, the African Group supported the historical struggle of the Palestinian people for their self-determination.<\/p>\n

United Arab Emirates, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, deeply condemned Israel\u2019s repeated repression of the Palestinian protesters in Gaza and the West Bank. \u00a0That disaster that had continued for 11 years in the Gaza Strip was tantamount to unlawful collective punishment of the Palestinian people. \u00a0The Arab Group called on the international community to take immediate measures to end that illegal action. \u00a0The occupying force was directly responsible for the consequences of the recent massacre. \u00a0The international community should set up an independent and transparent inquiry into the recent events in order to hold those responsible to account.<\/p>\n

Bulgaria, speaking on behalf of the European Union, expressed deep alarm about the sharp escalation of violence and loss of human lives in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly in the Gaza Strip. \u00a0It expected Israel to respect the fundamental right to peaceful protest and the principle of proportionality in the use of force when defending its legitimate security interest. \u00a0Israel had to refrain from the excessive use of force against unarmed civilians. \u00a0An independent and transparent investigation of human rights violations committed by all parties would shed light on what had happened and why. \u00a0The European Union called on all parties to take swift steps to produce a fundamental change to the political, security and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n

Brazil\u00a0was appalled by the disproportionate and unrestrained use of force against civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories in the past weeks, most notably in Gaza, when more than 60 Palestinians had been killed and thousands had been wounded. \u00a0Brazil urged the parties to moderation and urged Israel to fully respect its obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law. \u00a0It recognized the right of States to protect themselves, but the use of force had to respect international law and be proportionate. \u00a0Brazil echoed the appeals of the United Nations Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for full, transparent and independent investigations into the recent events.<\/p>\n

Qatar\u00a0expressed its condemnation of the use of disproportionate force and live ammunition against the Palestinian people. \u00a0It was unjustifiable to kill citizens premeditatedly, including women, children and the elderly. \u00a0Even persons with disabilities had not been spared. \u00a0Palestinians had the right to self-determination, and all attempts to change the demographic and geographic nature of Palestine were condemnable. \u00a0Qatar called on the international community to show responsibility to protect the Palestinians from the Israeli killing machine and to put pressure on the Israelis to stop this unimpeded murder.<\/p>\n

Iraq\u00a0said it had supported the convening of this special session to call on the international community to put an end to the unimpeded violations of the Israeli occupying forces of international humanitarian law and human rights. \u00a0Palestinians in Gaza had been living for 11 years under violence of the Israeli army, and this was unjustifiable. \u00a0Iraq was shocked by the recent events. \u00a0Tens of innocent Palestinians had been killed and more than a thousand had been wounded. \u00a0Iraq expressed deep sorrow over the Security Council\u2019s failure to stop this scourge. \u00a0It called on the international community to stand by the Palestinian people and to put an end to the violations.<\/p>\n

United Arab Emirates\u00a0condemned this open-air massacre by the Israeli occupying forces against peaceful demonstrators marching in dignity to reject the status quo and the United States decision to open its embassy in Jerusalem. \u00a0It condemned the Israeli use of violence and the use of force against unarmed Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. \u00a0It was essential to comply with the United Nations Security Council resolution to end the spiral of violence. \u00a0The United Arab Emirates sought to start an Arab diplomatic process for the protection of the Palestinians. \u00a0It was important to highlight the consequences of the American actions.<\/p>\n

Egypt\u00a0voiced concern about the recent events in the occupied Palestinian territory and the suffering of unarmed Palestinians targeted deliberately by the armed forces of Israel. \u00a0It strongly condemned the excessive use of force during the legitimate protests of Palestinians. \u00a0The suffering of the Palestinian people deserved a firm stance from the international community, and the finding of perpetrators, through an international impartial commission of inquiry to investigate the circumstances of the recent events. \u00a0Egypt was ready to make every effort to bring back peace and to bring about the two-State solution with pre-1967 border.<\/p>\n

Pakistan\u00a0strongly condemned the merciless killing and injuries inflicted on innocent and unarmed Palestinian civilian protesters by the occupying authorities. \u00a0The indiscriminate and brutal use of force on protesters was truly appalling. \u00a0The short-sighted decision of the United States to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was another nail in the coffin of what was left of the Middle East peace process. \u00a0It would not bring peace and justice, but would only further aggravate one of the most terrible lasting crises since the end of the Second World War.<\/p>\n

Peru\u00a0expressed bewilderment about the recent events in the occupied Palestinian territory and rejected in the strongest terms the use of force against civilians. \u00a0It was a violation of international humanitarian law. \u00a0Those grave events added to the instability and tension in the Middle East, and they had to be the object of an extensive and transparent international investigation. \u00a0Peru called on leaders of all parties to act with restraint, to avoid incitement to violence, and to return to calm dialogue.<\/p>\n

South Africa\u00a0said that it would have been inexplicable for the Human Rights Council, the moral conscience of the world, not to have convened. \u00a0Not to have done so would have said that the Council was deaf to the cries of the women and children of Palestine. \u00a0All had known what the consequences of the relocation of the United States embassy to Jerusalem would be. \u00a0Sadly, those fears had been realized. \u00a0It was correct to criticize Israel for its actions. \u00a0It was appropriate for the Human Rights Council to stand up to bullies.<\/p>\n

Belgium\u00a0said Israel had a legitimate right to self-defence, yet Belgium expected Israel to respect the fundamental right to peaceful protest and stressed that using lethal force in the absence of an immediate threat to life was wholly excessive, neither necessary, nor proportionate, and thus a breach of international law. \u00a0Lethal force may only be used as a measure of last resort. \u00a0Inciting the people of Gaza to illegally cross the border into Israel caused damage that could not be condoned either. \u00a0Hamas and those leading the protests in Gaza had a responsibility to avoid provocations and ensure that they remained strictly non-violent.<\/p>\n

Ukraine\u00a0was seriously concerned at the news of recent events in Gaza and the West Bank. \u00a0It believed that immediate measures should be taken to de-escalate the situation. \u00a0The security of people living on both sides should be the top priority for all. \u00a0Ukraine was convinced that the Council should do more to contribute in a balanced and constructive way to progress on this track. \u00a0The Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement lay within the framework of the unconditional fulfilment by the parties of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and on the basis of the Madrid principles and the Arab Peace initiative.<\/p>\n

Democratic Republic of Congo\u00a0said the recent events were unacceptable. \u00a0It condemned the loss of so many lives in Gaza. \u00a0The issue should be resolved by both parties based on the United Nations Security Council resolutions. \u00a0The violence could lead to unimaginable consequences for all. \u00a0The dual resolution could lead to a lasting solution. \u00a0Meanwhile the respect of international humanitarian law and human rights, in particular the right to peaceful assembly, must be respected. \u00a0There must be an independent and transparent inquiry in order to establish the responsibilities.<\/p>\n

United States\u00a0remained concerned about the recent outbreak of violence along the Gaza fence, but the special session was blatantly taking sides and it ignored the real culprit for it, the terrorist organization Hamas. \u00a0Hamas messages over loudspeakers urged demonstrators to burst through the fence, falsely claiming Israeli soldiers had been fleeing. \u00a0Hamas also allegedly encouraged demonstrators to attack the Kerem Shalom crossing, the biggest entry point in Gaza for fuel, food and medical supplies. \u00a0The United States affirmed Israel\u2019s right to defend itself. \u00a0It was hypocritical for the Council to spend time and money on a commission of inquiry if there were no commissions looking into human rights violations in other countries.<\/p>\n

Afghanistan\u00a0deeply condemned Israel\u2019s continued repression in the occupied Palestinian territory and it joined delegations in expressing its solidarity with the State of Palestine and the Palestinians. \u00a0It supported the call for an international, independent and impartial investigation into the killings and injuries caused in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory. \u00a0It called for immediate steps to be taken to prevent all acts of violence against civilians and to end impunity.<\/p>\n

Cuba\u00a0condemned in the strongest terms the criminal aggressions by Israel against unarmed Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, which had caused the death of at least 61 persons and more than 2,800 wounded. \u00a0That latest aggression against the Palestinian people represented a grave violation of the United Nations Charter and further enflamed tensions in the region. \u00a0Cuba reiterated its broad support for a just and durable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of a two-State solution which would allow the Palestinians to achieve their self-determination.<\/p>\n

China\u00a0expressed concern about the recent numerous casualties in Gaza and called on Israel to show restraint and stop violence against civilians. \u00a0China supported an early resolution of the Middle East peace talks and it firmly supported the just cause and aspirations of the Palestinian people to a sovereign State based on the pre-1967 border and with East Jerusalem as its capital. \u00a0China was in favour of a firm advance of a political solution based on the two-State solution.<\/p>\n

Mexico\u00a0was gravely concerned about the recent events, and categorically rejected all violence. \u00a0It expressed condolences to the victims. \u00a0It supported the holding of this Special Session of the Human Rights Council and believed that the Council must act in a just, balanced, and prompt manner. \u00a0It called on all parties to stop the disproportionate use of force. \u00a0All parties must comply with international humanitarian law and human rights. \u00a0The only solution was two States living in peace and in keeping with international resolutions. \u00a0Mexico hoped that this special session might lead to the establishment of an impartial commission of inquiry into the findings.<\/p>\n

Venezuela\u00a0condemned in the strongest possible terms the actions by the State of Israel. \u00a0It sent condolences to the families of victims, and supported the dignified Palestinian people who had peacefully protested against the opening of the American Embassy in Israel. \u00a0Venezuela condemned unilateral arbitrary acts that sought to continue the illegal presence of Israeli forces and undermined the stability of the region. \u00a0These criminal acts must not remain unpunished. \u00a0Venezuela reiterated its support for the noble cause of the Palestinian people and their inalienable right to self-determination.<\/p>\n

Ecuador\u00a0condemned the violence against the peaceful protesters, which started on 30 of March, and which led to the deaths of innocent civilians, including children and women, and thousands of injuries. \u00a0It condemned the decades of occupation exacerbated by summary executions, disproportionate use of force, and other violations by the State of Israel, and called on Israel to respect the rights of the Palestinian people and to fully comply with international law and human rights as a Member State of the United Nations. \u00a0It called on the United Nations to ensure the right to self-determination of all peoples.<\/p>\n

Australia\u00a0expressed deep sadness and regret about the loss of life and injury that had occurred during the protests in Gaza. \u00a0But it was of a firm view that Israel had legitimate security concerns, and that it had the right to protect its population. \u00a0Israel should also exercise appropriate restraint in the use of force. \u00a0Investigations into incidents had to be independent and impartial and all relevant parties should cooperate. \u00a0The violence in Gaza underlined the importance of a return to negotiations towards a two-State solution.<\/p>\n

Senegal\u00a0noted that the high level of violence during the protests in Gaza appealed to everyone\u2019s conscience. \u00a0It was crucial to stop the cycle of violence in order to limit the suffering of civilians. \u00a0Israel and Palestine should resume peace talks, with the active involvement of the international community, in order to achieve a resolution to the conflict on the basis of a two-State solution. \u00a0Senegal called on the Human Rights Council to adopt the proposed resolution by consensus.<\/p>\n

Nigeria\u00a0strongly condemned the killing of innocent civilians, including children and women, as a result of the use of excessive force by Israel. \u00a0Nigeria called on Israel to exercise restraint and to end the continued violation of international human rights and humanitarian laws in the occupied Palestinian territory. \u00a0The international community should hasten the process of the amicable resolution of the lingering crisis with a view to achieving durable peace in the entire Middle East.<\/p>\n

Saudi Arabia\u00a0commended the holding of the special session of the Council, and strongly condemned the repeated and appalling aggression by Israel against the Palestinian people. \u00a0It reaffirmed its principled position on the Palestinian question and support for the legitimate demands of the Palestinian people and it called on Israel, the occupying power, to implement all international resolutions and to put an end to violence, its settlement activities, home evictions, and the Judaization of Christian and Muslim shrines. \u00a0Saudi Arabia criticized the decision of the United States to move its embassy to Jerusalem as a biased step.<\/p>\n

Philippines\u00a0underscored the importance of States\u2019 adherence to principles of international humanitarian law, as well as of the sovereign right of States to defend themselves under international law. \u00a0The Philippines urged all parties to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to exercise self-restraint and maximum tolerance while upholding the principles of human rights as stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. \u00a0It urged the international community to continue to undertake a coordinated effort to assist Palestine by providing humanitarian assistance to adversely affected communities.<\/p>\n

Nepal was concerned about the recent deteriorating human rights situation in Gaza and offered deep condolences to the families of the victims who had been killed there in recent days. \u00a0Nepal believed that excessive and disproportionate use of force was contrary to international human rights and humanitarian law. \u00a0It deplored any instigation of violence and called on all parties to the conflict in Gaza to exercise maximum restraint and end the violence, while committing to full respect of human rights and international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n

Tunisia\u00a0deplored the events in the Gaza Strip where Israeli forces had met people with live bullets. \u00a0The practice of Israel to face unarmed civilians with excessive force showed that Israel paid no attention to international law or international public opinion. \u00a0In view of these flagrant violations, the international community must not stand silent. \u00a0These silent consciences must be moved in order to put pressure on Israel in order to stop its violence against the Palestinian people. \u00a0Tunisia supported quickly sending an international fact-finding committee to determine the violations perpetrated in the recent events.<\/p>\n

Angola\u00a0viewed with great concern the situation in Gaza, which had resulted in the deaths of women, children, health care workers, and others. \u00a0While expressing its condolences and support to the Palestinian people, it called on Israel and Palestine to persist in a dialogue. \u00a0The blockade of the Gaza Strip constituted a violation of international humanitarian law. \u00a0Angola was of the view that the Commission of Inquiry to be appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council should have a clear mandate in order to work constructively.<\/p>\n

Malaysia\u00a0supported the cause of the Palestinian people and their aspiration to self-determination, and it strongly condemned the killing of civilian protesters in Gaza. \u00a0Israel\u2019s actions should be independently and thoroughly investigated to achieve accountability, justice and remedy.<\/p>\n

Iceland\u00a0noted that while Israel had the right to defend itself under attack and to secure its borders, the exercise of that right had to be proportionate. \u00a0Iceland thus urged Israel to carry out an independent and transparent investigation into the recent incidents. \u00a0It urged Palestinian leaders not to inflame the situation further. \u00a0Those who intentionally placed civilians in harm\u2019s way were in breach of international law.<\/p>\n

France\u00a0firmly condemned Israel\u2019s violence against Palestinian protesters in Gaza. \u00a0That kind of violence could not be accepted. \u00a0France was deeply committed to upholding Israel\u2019s security. \u00a0At the same time, it supported the request for the establishment of an independent, international and impartial commission of inquiry, and called on Israel to apply strictly proportionate use of force. \u00a0It called for a political solution to the conflict and lifting of the Gaza blockade.<\/p>\n

Holy See\u00a0echoed the concern and sadness that Pope Francis had voiced when he had responded to the escalation of tensions in the Holy Land and in the Middle East. \u00a0All those involved in the recent deplorable actions had to recall the unique identity of Jerusalem which was sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. The Holy See renewed its sincere appeal that wisdom and prudence prevail in a global panorama that was already convulsed and marked by many cruel conflicts.<\/p>\n

Bolivia\u00a0regretted the systematic violation of the human rights of Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory and strongly condemned the recent violence by Israel against civilians there, which undermined the efforts to achieve peace. \u00a0The death of 61 Palestinians, many of them children, was unacceptable, as was the illegal occupation by Israel. \u00a0Bolivia resolutely supported all international efforts to reach a two-State solution to the conflict, as well as the draft resolution to establish an independent and impartial commission of inquiry.<\/p>\n

Liechtenstein\u00a0condemned any incitement to violence or provocation, including by Hamas. \u00a0It was essential that all actions and alleged crimes were thoroughly investigated and potential perpetrators held accountable. \u00a0Should national authorities fail to do so, the international community had the obligation to step in. \u00a0It recalled that Palestine was a State party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and that the Court was currently conducting a preliminary examination into the situation of Palestine. \u00a0This factual statement should be reflected in the draft resolution before the Human Rights Council.<\/p>\n

Jordan\u00a0said the eyes of all peoples were looking at the Human Rights Council today, hoping that the international community would shoulder its responsibility. \u00a0The world could not sit silent while blood was flowing. \u00a0The preservation of the Islamic, Arab and Christian identity of Al-Quds Al-Sharif was a priority for His Majesty King Abdullah II. \u00a0Jordan strongly condemned the blockade of Gaza. \u00a0There could be no peace without finding a solution to the Palestinian question in which the Palestinian people would live free and in peace without oppression.<\/p>\n

Thailand\u00a0was deeply concerned about the latest round of violence along the Gaza-Israeli borders, which had resulted in some 60 deaths and over 2,000 injuries of Palestinian civilians. \u00a0It called on all parties concerned to put an immediate end to the violence and to make an effort to avoid any further escalation of the situation. \u00a0It called on all sides to make the utmost efforts to work towards a durable solution to the long-standing conflict, through peaceful negotiations.<\/p>\n

Uruguay\u00a0condemned the death of over 60 civilians which was a direct result of the disproportionality used by the Israeli security forces. \u00a0Israel\u2019s justification of protecting its borders in no way abided by international law. \u00a0The resolution of the General Assembly for the establishment of a Jewish and Israeli State was the only way to establish peace and security for the Israeli and Palestinian people. \u00a0There was a need to return to dialogue. \u00a0Uruguay called on all parties to resume negotiations as the only way to achieve full respect of international law.<\/p>\n

Yemen\u00a0said the special secession of the Human Rights Council met today feeling pain of the systematic aggression of the Israeli State on the Palestinian people. \u00a0There were over 60 martyrs and thousands inured. \u00a0It called on the international community to pay special attention to the Human Rights Council and to strongly condemn Israel, which was in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and human rights, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. \u00a0Yemen fully supported the request by Palestine that the Council adopt the draft resolution submitted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Palestine.<\/p>\n

Libya\u00a0firmly condemned the flagrant violations of human rights carried out by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories, which were akin to crimes against humanity. \u00a0The practices used by the occupying forces undermined international security and peace. \u00a0The international community must not remain silent and Libya called on the Council to face its legal and moral responsibility to protect Palestinians from daily massacres, and to uphold their right to establish an independent State.<\/p>\n

Algeria\u00a0noted that the death of several dozen peaceful Palestinian protesters had to be firmly and unanimously condemned. \u00a0The time had come to put an end to Israel\u2019s impunity and the Council had to institute an international inquiry into the recent crimes against Palestinians. \u00a0Algeria called on the international community to end Israel\u2019s occupation and support the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people<\/p>\n

India\u00a0remained convinced that dialogue was the only viable option to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and that the solution to the Palestinian issue should be based on international resolutions. \u00a0India hoped to see the realization of an independent Palestinian State coexisting peacefully alongside Israel. \u00a0It called on all sides to exercise restraint, to stop violence and bloodshed, and to resume peace talks.<\/p>\n

Tajikistan\u00a0noted that it was imperative to establish what had happened in Gaza through an immediate independent investigation to thoroughly examine the facts on the ground. \u00a0Any further escalation of an already extremely tense and complex situation would cause further unspeakable suffering of the Palestinian people, and would make the perspective of peace and security even more remote.<\/p>\n

Syria\u00a0condemned the terrible massacres carried out by Israel again peaceful Palestinian protesters. \u00a0That was part of the pattern of Israeli crimes and brutality, and of its violations of international humanitarian law. \u00a0That could not have happened if Israel had not had the protection of the United States. \u00a0Syria criticized the enforced displacement of Palestinians, the prohibition of peaceful assembly and other human rights violations, noting that the transfer of the United States embassy to Jerusalem had encouraged Israel to continue its repression and war crimes.<\/p>\n

Viet Nam\u00a0was concerned about the situation and shared the belief that the Palestinians had the right to fully enjoy their right to life. \u00a0It opposed all use of violence and urged the settlement of the conflict by peaceful means. \u00a0Efforts should be made to sustain the peace and stability of the region, and the solution should take into account the legitimate concerns of all. \u00a0All solutions should also be in line with the Security Council resolutions. \u00a0Viet Nam supported the struggle of the Palestinian people and the two-State solution.<\/p>\n

Maldives\u00a0said on 14 May the world had witnessed massive human rights violations in untold proportions. \u00a0Dozens of youth had died at the hands of cruel and inhumane acts and an unjustified use of force by the Israeli occupying forces. \u00a0This was in grave violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. \u00a0Maldives stood in full solidarity with the Palestinian people, their righteousness and their struggle, and called on the Council to establish an Independent Commission of Inquiry.<\/p>\n

Sweden\u00a0called on Israel to respect the right to peaceful protest. \u00a0All measures taken must be proportionate, restrain the use of force, and protect lives. \u00a0An independent and transparent investigation was needed. \u00a0Sweden fully supported the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry. \u00a0Sweden supported a two-State solution with Jerusalem as a capital of both States.<\/p>\n

Democratic People\u2019s Republic of Korea\u00a0said the indiscriminate killings and injuring of people constituted war crimes. \u00a0It condemned the open declaration of the United States of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, thus catalysing the situation. \u00a0Therefore, the United States should be held accountable for the violations of the human rights of the Palestinians. \u00a0It called on Israel to stop at once the mass killings and abide by international humanitarian law and human rights. \u00a0It reiterated its support and solidarity for the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n

Bangladesh\u00a0strongly condemned the acts of violence perpetrated by Israeli forces which had resulted in hundreds of death and thousands of injuries. \u00a0The United States decision was in total disregard of international norms. \u00a0Bangladesh supported the creation of a Commission of Inquiry. \u00a0Peace and security could not be achieved by oppression and violence. \u00a0Bangladesh supported a two-State solution.<\/p>\n

Malta\u00a0was deeply concerned by the violence that had resulted in a considerable loss of life. \u00a0The status of Jerusalem must be mutually agreed upon through meaningful peace negotiations between both sides. \u00a0Malta would continue to respect the international consensus on Jerusalem as enshrined, inter alia, in the United Nations Security Council resolution 478, including the location of its diplomatic representation, until the final status of Jerusalem was resolved.<\/p>\n

Indonesia\u00a0strongly condemned the excessive use of force by Israel against Palestinian civilians, including women and children. \u00a0The international community could no longer turn a blind eye to the recurrence of such horrific acts and thus Indonesia supported the establishment of an independent, international and impartial commission of inquiry to investigate all violations of international human rights.<\/p>\n

Costa Rica\u00a0called on Israel to abstain from using excessive force against Palestinian civilians, and it expressed severe concern about the freedom of expression and assembly in the occupied Palestinian territory. \u00a0It called for concerted actions of the international community to reject extremist views, and reiterated its position favouring political agreement based on dialogue and a two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.<\/p>\n

Mali\u00a0expressed deep concern about the deterioration of the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and particularly in the Gaza Strip, and the great loss of life there. \u00a0It supported the two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and called for the immediate resumption of the Middle East peace talks.<\/p>\n

Sudan\u00a0reiterated its principled solidarity with the Palestinian people and establishment of a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital. \u00a0It strongly condemned the violence of Israel against Palestinian civilians, which constituted a gross violation of international law and a provocation to all humanity and faith holders. \u00a0Sudan called on the international community to end those violations and to adopt the draft resolution for the establishment of an independent international inquiry into the recent violence.<\/p>\n

Lebanon\u00a0noted that the recent bloodshed in Gaza coincided with the Nakba and would be added to Israel\u2019s long list of aggressive practices. \u00a0As usual Israel tried to justify its acts by dehumanizing the protesters, claiming that they were a threat to peace and security. \u00a0The Council must take the right decision to investigate those crimes and hold the perpetrators accountable.<\/p>\n

Turkey\u00a0strongly condemned the use of illegal force, which violated international law. \u00a0Turkey strongly supported the convening of this special session and attached utmost importance that the submitted resolution would be adopted by the Human Rights Council. \u00a0Only an independent and transparent investigation into the incidents in Gaza would ensure accountability. \u00a0The Council had to make sure that impunity did not prevail. \u00a0Today, an Extraordinary Islamic Summit was being convened in Istanbul, which Turkey believed would have tangible outcomes.<\/p>\n

Namibia\u00a0strongly condemned the killing of Palestinians. \u00a0Such horrifying acts should not go unchallenged as they were in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and human rights and relevant resolutions. \u00a0The recent relocation of the United States Embassy complicated the efforts for a lasting peace in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. \u00a0Namibia had supported the holding of this special session and cosponsored the draft resolution because it believed that the Council had a major role to play in the current situation.<\/p>\n

Mauritia\u00a0said for tens of years, the killings by the Israeli oppression machine had continued, without distinction between children, elderly and women. \u00a0Mauritania rejected all forms of expression against injustice and repression against the Palestinian people. \u00a0The American decision to move its Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv would lead to excessive use of force by the Israeli army. \u00a0Mauritania was deeply concerned by this decision and called on Israel to put an end to the violence against the Palestinian people and to establish a Palestinian State in line with the relevant international resolutions.<\/p>\n

Oman\u00a0was deeply concerned about the violations against Palestinian people and condemned the unilateral measures, which brought about negative reaction and violence. \u00a0This did not help the efforts to reach a two-State solution, which was supported by the international community. \u00a0The legitimate right of Palestinians to reject the decision of the United States to move its Embassy had been unlawfully blocked by force and killings. \u00a0This act was in flagrant violation of human rights and humanitarian international law.<\/p>\n

Iran\u00a0said the recent politically-motivating move of the United States\u2019 Embassy to al-Quds had escalated the already high tensions in the Palestinian occupied territories. \u00a0The peaceful assembly and demonstrations of the Palestinian people against this unjustifiable and aggressive event had received a suppressive response from the Israeli regime, the occupying power, and led to the killings and injury of many innocent Palestinian people, including women and children.<\/p>\n

Sri Lanka\u00a0regretted that the special session had convened against the backdrop of death and destruction in the occupied Palestinian territory. \u00a0It was important that the security of all civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory received the utmost consideration and that their human rights be upheld and protected at all times. \u00a0Dialogue remained a viable option to seek the resolution of prevalent challenges, if peace were to return to all peoples in the region.<\/p>\n

Botswana\u00a0noted that the international community had a responsibility to protect the lives of the Palestinians and to work together towards the realization of their self-determination. \u00a0It called on all parties to exercise restraint and ensure full cooperation with the independent, international commission of inquiry with a view to bringing redress to all victims. \u00a0Finally, Botswana reaffirmed its solidarity with the Palestinian people and for the two-State solution to the conflict.<\/p>\n

New Zealand\u00a0stated that while it accepted Israel\u2019s right to maintain its security, its actions had to be lawful and proportionate. \u00a0The tragic events in Gaza over the past six weeks had resulted in a devastating one-sided loss of life, including innocent children in the occupied Palestinian territory, which was unacceptable. \u00a0Parties on both sides must abide by their obligations to protect civilians.<\/p>\n

Bahrain\u00a0highly appreciated the convening of the special session on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and the grave escalation that threatened the entire region. \u00a0It strongly condemned the unjust oppression by Israel against unarmed Palestinian civilians and warned of the negative consequences of such actions. \u00a0Bahrain called for the unanimous adoption of the draft resolution to establish an investigation commission into human rights violations by Israel.<\/p>\n

Morocco\u00a0expressed deep sadness about the events in Gaza and strong condemnation of the flagrant violations of international law by Israel, which were in total disregard of all human values. \u00a0The Human Right Council should shoulder its responsibilities by establishing an independent international fact-finding commission. \u00a0Interfering into the status of Jerusalem would lead to more tension and undermining of peace.<\/p>\n

Guyana\u00a0joined those who had expressed concern about the deteriorating situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. \u00a0Repeated hostilities served only to deepen and add to the incalculable cost in the loss of human life and material destruction. \u00a0That bore tragic testimony to the urgent necessity for parties to return to the negotiating table and renew in earnest the pursuit of a mutually acceptable solution.<\/p>\n

Kuwait\u00a0stated that all United Nations mechanisms had taken swift actions to bring Israel to account and to bring the perpetrators of violations to justice. \u00a0It supported the draft resolution to establish an independent commission of inquiry to shed light on the recent events in Gaza during peaceful demonstrations. \u00a0Everyone looked up to the Human Rights Council to protect human rights.<\/p>\n

Canada\u00a0was gravely concerned about the numerous deaths and countless injuries in the Gaza Strip over the past several weeks. \u00a0However, it could not support the draft resolution because it prejudged the outcome of an international investigation. \u00a0The resolution was one-sided and did not advance the prospects for a peaceful, negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. \u00a0The resolution singled out Israel, without making reference to other actors.<\/p>\n

Russian Federation\u00a0condemned the indiscriminate use of force in the recent events in Gaza. \u00a0It once again called upon the parties to refrain from steps that could lead to new violence. \u00a0An additional spiral of violence was the United States decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem, which ran counter to universally recognized international legal standards. \u00a0The outcome must be an end to the occupation by Israel of Palestinian lands, as well as the Syrian Golan, and a recognition of borders of a new Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital.<\/p>\n

Ireland\u00a0was profoundly shocked by the recent events in Gaza. \u00a0Its thoughts were with the families of those killed and with the many who had suffered severe injuries. \u00a0Ireland recognized that Israel, like every country, had the right to defend its territory. \u00a0International law, however, clearly defined the circumstances in which force could be used against civilians. \u00a0It must only be used in cases of real and immediate threat to life, and only as a last resort. \u00a0The use of force should be proportionate to the threat posed.<\/p>\n

__________<\/p>\n

For use of the information media; not an official record<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

18 May 2018 fran\u00e7ais video (1st meeting) video (2nd meeting) GENEVA (18 May 2018) The Human Rights Council this morning opened a special session on \u201cthe deteriorating human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem,\u201d in which it heard addresses by Zeid Ra\u2019ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":172,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[],"document-category":[2433,1329,4389],"document-source":[1602],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[2517,2977,1829,5358,2005,1741,1857,2309,5033],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[6542,6541],"class_list":["post-136233","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","document-category-french-text","document-category-press-release","document-category-webcast","document-source-human-rights-council","document-subject-access-and-movement","document-subject-boundaries-and-demarcation-lines","document-subject-casualties","document-subject-ClosuresCurfewsBlockades","document-subject-gaza-strip","document-subject-human-rights-and-international-humanitarian-law","document-subject-incidents","document-subject-protection","document-subject-protests","entity-united-nations-system","document-language-english","document-language-french"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/136233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/136233\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=136233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=136233"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=136233"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=136233"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=136233"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=136233"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=136233"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=136233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}