Israel to Withdraw from UN Human Rights Council Amid Bias Concerns

Decision Made in Response to Ongoing Bias Against Israel

Israel has announced its decision to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), citing persistent and unrelenting institutional bias against the country. The decision was made following the United States’ withdrawal from the council in June 2018.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that the decision was reached “in light of the ongoing and unrelenting institutional bias against Israel in the Human Rights Council, which has been persistent since its inception in 2006.” He expressed his disappointment with the council’s failure to address the issue, despite numerous attempts to reform its agenda and ensure a more balanced approach.

A History of Bias

The UNHRC has faced criticism for its treatment of Israel, with many accusing the organization of singling out the Jewish state for criticism while ignoring human rights abuses in other parts of the world. Israel has long been the target of numerous resolutions and reports criticizing its policies in the occupied territories, while other countries with similar or worse human rights records have been largely ignored.

In recent years, the council has adopted several resolutions criticizing Israel’s policies in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including its settlement activity, military occupation, and treatment of Palestinian civilians. These resolutions have been condemned by Israel and its supporters, who argue that they are one-sided and fail to address the root causes of the conflict.

Attempts at Reform

In recent years, there have been efforts to reform the UNHRC and address some of the concerns surrounding its treatment of Israel. In 2015, the council adopted a resolution calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but it was widely criticized for its one-sided approach.

In 2017, the council voted to adopt a resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, but it was vetoed by the United States. The resolution was later reintroduced and adopted without a vote, but it was seen as a further example of the council’s bias against Israel.

Impact of Withdrawal

Israel’s withdrawal from the UNHRC is likely to have significant consequences for the organization and the global human rights landscape. The country’s departure will leave a vacuum in the council’s ranks, and may undermine its ability to address human rights issues in the Middle East and beyond.

It is also likely to embolden other countries that have criticized the UNHRC’s treatment of Israel, and may lead to a renewed push for reforms within the organization. However, it is unclear whether these reforms will be successful, and whether they will address the underlying concerns that have driven Israel’s decision to withdraw.

Conclusion

Israel’s decision to withdraw from the UNHRC is a significant development in the ongoing debate about the organization’s treatment of Israel. While the decision has been widely criticized by human rights organizations and other countries, it reflects the deep-seated concerns of many Israelis about the council’s bias and its failure to address the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

As the UNHRC looks to the future, it will need to address the concerns of countries like Israel and find a way to ensure a more balanced and effective approach to human rights promotion. This will require a commitment to reform and a willingness to listen to the concerns of all member states, rather than simply imposing a one-sided agenda.

FAQs

Q: Why is Israel withdrawing from the UNHRC?
A: Israel is withdrawing from the UNHRC due to ongoing and unrelenting institutional bias against the country, which has been persistent since the council’s inception in 2006.

Q: What is the UNHRC’s role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
A: The UNHRC has a long history of criticizing Israel’s policies in the occupied territories, including its settlement activity, military occupation, and treatment of Palestinian civilians. Israel has long argued that the council’s approach is one-sided and fails to address the root causes of the conflict.

Q: What are the implications of Israel’s withdrawal from the UNHRC?
A: Israel’s withdrawal from the UNHRC is likely to have significant consequences for the organization and the global human rights landscape. The country’s departure will leave a vacuum in the council’s ranks, and may undermine its ability to address human rights issues in the Middle East and beyond.