A UN-mandated commission of inquiry that probes violations of international human rights law on Tuesday accused Israel of obstructing its efforts to collect evidence from the victims of the attack by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7.
"So far as the government of Israel is concerned, we have not only seen a lack of cooperation, but active obstruction of our efforts to receive evidence from Israeli witnesses and victims to the events that occurred in southern Israel," said Chris Sidoti, one of three members of a commission of inquiry into abuses committed in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
"We have contact with many, but we would like to have contact with more."
Sidoti appealed to the government of Israel, as well as victims and witnesses of the attack, to aid the commission in conducting its probe.
Israel responds to Sidoti
In response to Sidoti's comments, the Israeli diplomatic mission in Geneva said it had been carrying out its own investigation into the crimes and that representatives of the United Nations and other institutions had been to Israel and met with survivors and victims.
Victims would "never get any justice or the dignified treatment they deserve from the Commission of Inquiry and its members," it said, describing the commission as having "a track record of antisemitic and anti-Israel statements."