The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has recently proposed a draft resolution that aims to prosecute Israeli and American military personnel and their commanders. This move is seen by many as a continuation of the council’s long-standing bias against Israel and the United States. The resolution, set for a vote in the coming week, threatens to criminalize Israeli and American military actions, targeting both nations’ leaders and troops. This initiative is led by a coalition of Islamic states, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) led by Pakistan, and countries like Jordan and Kuwait, which often rely on American aid.
For decades, U.S. administrations have failed to address the systemic bias against Israel within the UNHRC. This pattern of Israel-bashing has persisted, with the council devoting more resolutions, reports, and special sessions to Israel than any other country. The situation worsened in 2006 when the UN “reformed” its Human Rights Commission into the current Human Rights Council. Far from improving, the new council has become a platform for countries with dubious human rights records, such as Algeria, China, Cuba, and Sudan, to dominate and manipulate the agenda. Israel, despite its democratic values and commitment to human rights, is consistently singled out and vilified.
Antisemitism is the lingua franca of the UNHRC, where diplomatic niceties often mask wild blood libels and comparisons of Jews to Nazis. The council’s recent actions are a stark example of this pervasive antisemitism. The proposed “mechanism” to investigate and prosecute crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, is designed to facilitate criminal proceedings in various courts. This mechanism, far from promoting justice, sets the stage for a global pogrom against Israelis and their allies.
The resolution’s claim to address crimes by “all parties” is a hollow gesture, as it conspicuously omits any mention of Hamas, the terrorist organization responsible for numerous attacks on Israel. Instead, it focuses solely on Israeli actions, labeling them as terrorism. The resolution also targets the United States by including aspects of the Israeli-American relationship, such as arms transfers and dual-use items. This move is not only politically motivated but also aims to weaken Israel’s ability to defend itself against genocidal threats.
The U.S. must take a firm stance against this discriminatory and antisemitic resolution. Any state that refuses to vote against it should face consequences, including the withholding of funds from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which will staff and manage the proposed “mechanism.” Additionally, any state or company that participates in boycotts or embargoes against Israel should be held accountable and barred from doing business with the U.S. government. It is high time to confront and terminate the UNHRC’s reign of terror and antisemitism.
