In a detailed presentation to the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, delivered remarks that stirred significant controversy by equating the defensive actions of Israel with those of Hamas following the latter's brutal assault on Israeli civilians on October 7.
This comparison has been met with criticism, especially in light of Israel's legitimate response to defend its sovereignty and citizens against a barbaric attack. It's noteworthy that an International Court of Justice ruling has previously cleared Israel of genocide charges, establishing a framework for ongoing monitoring of the situation, a point that underscores the complex legal and ethical landscape surrounding these issues.
This is the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, @volker_turk @UNHumanRights, shaking hands with the FM of Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terror and abuser of human rights.
— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) February 28, 2024
And you expect us to take you seriously Volker, when you lecture Israel? pic.twitter.com/Y2qYluGL4n
Turk condemned the atrocious acts committed by Hamas, including the torture and indiscriminate targeting of Israeli civilians, rightfully categorizing these as war crimes. Yet, his critique of Israel's military response has been viewed as lacking nuance, particularly for not acknowledging the impossibility of verifying casualty figures provided by Hamas-controlled sources. Furthermore, the omission of the connections between some killed journalists and Hamas or Islamic Jihad—some of whom were active combatants—oversimplifies the tragedy of the conflict. The critique also overlooked Hamas's misappropriation of humanitarian aid intended for Gaza's civilians, an act that exacerbates the enclave's humanitarian crisis.
Perhaps most controversially, Turk's attribution of the suffering of Palestinians solely to a 56-year Israeli occupation fails to consider the significant impact of Hamas's governance since 2007, which came about through a violent coup. This oversight neglects the internal factors contributing to the plight of Gaza's residents, including the brutality and oppressive rule of Hamas itself.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk blamed both Israel and Hamas for war crimes, calling on both parties to be investigated and held accountable. Read more: https://t.co/1W8iKXt3LY pic.twitter.com/lnWrELOaTO
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) February 29, 2024
The discussion of a potential Israeli military operation in Rafah, which houses a substantial number of displaced persons and aid agencies, highlighted the grave risks of further conflict. Turk's warning about the dire consequences of such an action reflects genuine concern for human life and the complexities of providing aid in conflict zones.
A meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Gaza, Sigurd Kaag, marked a significant effort to address the challenges facing the region. Described as productive, this dialogue aimed at exploring solutions, despite a minor mishap where a photograph of Netanyahu with USAID head Samantha Power was mistakenly circulated in place of one with Kaag.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk on February 29 said war crimes had been committed by all parties in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, calling for them to be investigated and for those responsible to be held accountable.https://t.co/hP2Etw5Z79
— ponta_fujii (@FujiiPonta) February 29, 2024
Turk's concluding remarks, calling for mutual recognition and peace between Israelis and Palestinians, underscored the necessity for both parties to commit to a peaceful coexistence and the protection of human rights. This appeal for a balanced approach to conflict resolution emphasizes the need for acknowledgment of each other's rights to sovereignty and security, aiming to pave the way toward a sustainable and just peace.
