UN Inquiry Commissioners Resign Amid Bias Allegations
Table of Contents
World Today News Staff">
The heads of the UN’s autonomous International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory all resigned on Monday, citing different reasons.
South Africa‘s Navi Pillay, 83, stated her resignation was motivated by “age, medical issues, and the weight of several other commitments.” Australia’s Chris Sidoti said it was the “appropriate time,” while India’s Miloon Kothari simply expressed it was an “honor” to serve.
Human Rights Council President Jurg Lauber has requested UN representatives to nominate their replacements.
UN Watch, a human rights organization, praised the development, having long highlighted alleged anti-Israel bias within the United Nations.
Pillay has previously advocated for sanctions against Israel,drawing parallels between the nation and South Africa’s history with equality and human rights. Kothari has been criticized for repeating antisemitic tropes concerning Jewish control of media and questioning Israel’s UN membership.Sidoti has dismissed accusations of antisemitism leveled by Israel, suggesting that Jewish individuals “throw around accusations like rice at a wedding.”
“This week, the dominoes are falling,” said Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch. “First, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the historic decision to sanction Francesca Albanese, the UN’s pro-Hamas rapporteur, in wake of a massive campaign lead by UN Watch. Now the architects of the UN’s anti-Israel inquisition are fleeing the ship. The tide is turning.”
“The resignation of all three commissioners is long overdue,” he added. “This was a commission born in pre-existing bias.”
Evergreen Insights
The UN’s Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has been a subject of controversy since its inception. Critics have frequently pointed to the composition of the commission and the statements made by its members as evidence of a predetermined anti-Israel stance.This latest development, with the resignation of all three commissioners, is seen by some as a validation of these long-standing concerns.
Frequently asked questions
- Why did the UN inquiry commissioners resign?
- The commissioners cited various reasons, including age, medical issues, other commitments, and the feeling that it was the appropriate time to step down.
- What allegations have been made against the UN inquiry?
- The UN inquiry has faced severe criticism and allegations of anti-Israel bias.
- Who is Navi Pillay and what has she said about Israel?
- Navi Pillay is one of the resigning commissioners. She has previously lobbied to “sanction apartheid Israel” and drawn parallels between israel and South Africa’s history.
- What criticisms have been leveled against Miloon Kothari?
- Miloon Kothari has been accused of regurgitating antisemitic tropes and questioning Israel’s right to UN membership.
- What has Chris Sidoti said about accusations of antisemitism?
- Chris Sidoti has criticized Israel’s accusations of antisemitism, stating that Jewish individuals “throw around accusations like rice at a wedding.”
- What is UN Watch’s stance on these resignations?
- UN Watch hailed the resignations, viewing them as a positive development and a sign that the tide is turning against perceived bias at the UN.
This article provides factual reporting and does not constitute health, finance, or legal advice.
