What's New

Resources updated between Monday, February 10, 2020 and Sunday, February 16, 2020

February 16, 2020

Iranian protesters (File photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

Iranian dissidents call for election boycott after regime disqualifies thousands of candidates Document

February 14, 2020

The Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, where the Human Rights Council is located (File photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

"This week, the United Nations gave new ammunition to Israel's enemies.
,br> The U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights released a report including a database of businesses active in Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Territories in compliance with U.N. Human Rights Council resolution A/HRC/43/71.
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The Trump administration left the UN Human Rights Council in 2018 because of its deep anti-Israel bias.
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Likewise, the decision of High Commissioner Bachelet to release the report directly targeting a key U.S. ally and supporting sanctions for six U.S. corporations should lead the U.S. to end its voluntary contributions to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, consider withholding its part of the U.N. regular budget funding the Office, and suspend its engagement with the Office and the U.N. human rights experts supported by the Office.

In addition, the U.S. should take steps to help offset the economic pressure that could result from the report. One option would be to direct the new U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to offer financing, insurance, and other support for businesses engaged in the Israeli settlements. ..."

How the US Should Respond to UN's Latest Anti-Israel Action Article

February 13, 2020

The United Nations Human Rights Council (File photo)

Samaria council to file class action suit against leaders of UN Human Rights Council Article

Congressman Michael McCaul, Lead Republican of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (File photo)

Republican Representatives McCaul, Wilson, Zeldin Statement on Release of U.N. Anti-Israel Blacklist Article

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (File photo)

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer Statement on the U.N. Human Rights Council Blacklist Article

Explosive balloon detonates near Netiv Haasarah, Feb. 2020 (photo credit: SCREENSHOT NETIV HAASARAH SECURITY)

Explosive Balloons Continue to Fly from Gaza into Israel Document

Israel Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz

Israel strongly condemns announcement of U.N. High Commissioner of Human Rights Article

Senator Bob Menendez (File photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

Senators condemn U.N. 'blacklisting' of U.S. companies in Israeli settlements Article

The United Nations Human Rights Council (File photo)

U.N. "Human Rights" Council Database "is modern antisemitism on a global scale" Article

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (File photo)

"I am outraged that High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet published a database of companies operating in Israeli-controlled territories. The United States has long opposed the creation or release of this database, which was mandated by the discredited UN Human Rights Council in 2016. Its publication only confirms the unrelenting anti-Israel bias so prevalent at the United Nations. The United States has not provided, and will never provide, any information to the Office of the High Commissioner to support compilation of these lists and expresses support for U.S. companies referenced. We call upon all UN member states to join us in rejecting this effort, which facilitates the discriminatory boycott, divestment, and sanction (BDS) campaign and delegitimizes Israel. Attempts to isolate Israel run counter to all of our efforts to build conditions conducive to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that lead to a comprehensive and enduring peace."

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "Outraged" at Publication of U.N. Blacklist Document

February 12, 2020

Nikki Haley (File photo)

Haley slams 'conniving, manipulative' U.N. blacklist Article

Senator Risch speaking at a Foreign Relations Committee hearing (Screenshot of a webcast)

"U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a report including a database of businesses operating in the Palestinian territories:

'It is unacceptable that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has released this incredibly biased report which is in direct support of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction movement against our close ally Israel. Previously, I have spoken to High Commissioner Bachelet about this matter and believed that the OHCHR had already fulfilled its mandate by previous actions.

'Today's release of the report is a political move made by the high commissioner. This action is only further evidence that the OHCHR, which is supposed to be the lead human rights office in the United Nations, is overly politicized and focusing a disproportionate amount of time and resources on Israel. Instead, OHCHR should focus on the real human rights crises in the world such as the ongoing slaughter of civilians in Syria.

'The high commissioner should immediately redact the report and to take no further actions on this database.'"

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman: OHCHR's Release of Database of Companies Operating in Palestinian Territories is Unacceptable Article

Former Democratic New York state assemblyman Dov Hikind being grabbed by man in a kuffiyeh at event featuring Rashida Tlaib (Photo courtesy social media)

Jewish Democrat thrown out of event for challenging Rashida Tlaib on antisemitism Article

February 11, 2020

President Trump at the U.N. General Assembly (File photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

U.S. Shouldn't Rejoin U.N. 'Tourism' Agency, Despite Trump's Budget Request Article

Former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir (File photo)

Former Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir to be handed over to the International Criminal Court Article

Iranian opposition figure Ruhollah Zam (Photo courtesy social media)

Iran Opposition Figure Faces Death Sentence Document

February 10, 2020

The United Nations Security Council (File photo)

Palestinians delay vote at U.N. Security Council against Trump's peace deal Article

Tunisian representative, Moncef Baati

"Tunisian diplomat Moncef Baati who represented his country at the UN Security Council was called back to Tunis after it was found he is working on a Palestinian Security Resolution draft blaming US President Donald Trump of breaching international law by his 'Deal of the Century,' Foreign Policy reported on Friday.
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The Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Baati was dismissed in a press release but claimed the reasons were his 'weak performance and lack of coordination with the ministry.'

The report followed news that Jerusalem is furious at Belgium for inviting Brad Parker, Senior Adviser for Policy and Advocacy for Defense for Children – Palestine (DCI-P), an NGO with ties to the terrorist group the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) to brief the UN Security Council's members.
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Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected at the UN during the upcoming week where he is said to attempt to have the Security Council condemn the 'Deal of the Century'..."

Tunisia fires envoy to UN for being too pro-Palestinian Article