Israel rejects UNHRC resolution

Pakistani proposal calls for Israel to pay Palestinians for Cast Lead damages.

By AP, JPOST.COM STAFF
ben ki moon in gaza with rubble 311 (photo credit: AP)
ben ki moon in gaza with rubble 311
(photo credit: AP)
Israel strongly rejected on Thursday a UN Human Rights Council resolution callingfor Israel to pay Palestinians reparations for loss and damagessuffered during last year's Operation Cast Lead. The 47-nation councildid not call for similar payments by Palestinians to Israelis.
"The UNHRC resolution… has nothing to do with safeguarding human rights," Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said in a statement. "Israel, as a democratic country, will continue its internal investigations, as part of its commitment to rule of law and moral values."
The proposal by Pakistan was backed Thursday by a majority of 29 to 6 in a vote by the Geneva-based body. There were 11 abstentions.
The resolution also suggested that the International Committee of the Red Cross should investigate IDF's alleged use of white phosphorus, an incendiary munition, during the three week conflict.
Related: US backs Israel at UNHRC
On Monday, Israel charged that the UNHRC does not believe it has the right to self defense against the rockets which Gaza Palestinians launch against its citizens on the southern border.
"You have done nothing about it and you expect that Israel does nothing either," said Israel's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Roni Leshno Yaar. He spoke during a day-long debate about Israel's actions in the West Bank and Gaza.
The council approved four other resolutions condemning the Jewish state Wednesday.
One resolution affirms the Palestinian right to self-determination. Asecond initiates the creation of an independent committee to monitorcompliance by Israel and the Palestinians with the Goldstone Report'scall for both parties to hold independent transparent investigationsinto human rights abuses during Israel's military incursion in Gaza inJanuary 2009 and the Palestinian rocket attacks against Israelicitizens.
Two other resolutions accuse Israel of a host of human rights abusesagainst Palestinians and take it to task for continued settlementbuilding, including in east Jerusalem.
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