Israel is accused of committing “the crime against humanity of extermination” and impeding religious freedoms in a recent United Nations report.
The U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which encompasses East Jerusalem and Israel (COI), released a critical 19-page report.
In a summary of the report, the COI said it “examines violations of international human rights law, international humanitarian law and possible international crimes relating to attacks against educational facilities and religious and cultural sites.” However, the COI appears to be harsher on Israel than Palestinian authorities.
Israeli Permanent Member to the United Nations Danny Danon speaks during a session of the Security Council at the New York City headquarters. (Israel United Nations Mission)
In its conclusion, the COI offers 13 recommendations for Israel, two for “the de facto authorities in Gaza,” two for “the Government of the State of Palestine,” and two for all U.N. member states.
The report is already sparking controversy, with the U.S. mission and legal experts expressing concerns over its content.
“The latest report from this U.N.’s kangaroo court is a frightening indication of the antisemitism and incitement to violence spread by the United Nations on a global scale,” Anne Bayefsky, Director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust and President of Human Rights Voices told Fox News Digital.
“To be clear, Palestinians are going through sheer hell in this conflict and a lot of that is because Hamas has put them in an impossible situation. We’ve been clear that Israel has a right to take action against Hamas, but we’ve also been just as clear that Israel must take every precaution possible to protect civilians,” the spokesperson added.
In another part of the report, the COI notes that the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) documented 42 instances from Oct. 7, 2023, to March 15, 2024, in which “parties to the conflict” interfered with its schools.
In response to a Fox News Digital request for comment and clarification on whether Hamas used its schools, UNRWA reiterated its condemnations of “any party to the conflict” using its facilities for “military or fighting purposes.”
“Since the start of the war, UNRWA has repeatedly condemned the use of UN facilities by any party to the conflict for military or fighting purposes. We have repeatedly called for independent investigation and accountability for the blatant disregard of UN staff lives, premises and operations,” a spokesperson for UNRWA told Fox News Digital. “We reiterate our call on all parties to the conflict to respect the sanctity and neutrality of UN installations.”
While UNRWA did not directly address whether Hamas used its facilities, the commission said that Israeli forces caused “the majority of harm to educational facilities.” While the commission mentions Israel’s claim that Hamas has operated out of these schools, it also says that the terror organization “contested” the allegation.
A view of the United Nations Headquarters building in New York City, United States on July 16, 2024. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
In its recommendations for Israel, the commission calls on Jerusalem to “cease the use of educational facilities and cultural sites for military purposes.” It also recommended that “de facto authorities in Gaza” — Hamas — “cease using civilian objects for military purposes.”
The commission also calls on Israel to “provide effective, adequate and prompt remedy for victims of human rights violations, including surviving family members,” but makes no such demands of those responsible for atrocities committed on Oct. 7.
