UNHRC votes to condemn Israel for Gaza op

Resolution: Israel committed massive violations of Palestinians' rights, doesn't condemn Hamas.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
unhrc human rights 224 (photo credit: AP [file])
unhrc human rights 224
(photo credit: AP [file])
The top UN rights body has approved a resolution condemning Israel's military offensive in Gaza saying it has "resulted in massive violations of human rights of the Palestinian people." On Monday, the Human Rights Council's 47 members voted 33 in favor and 1 against the resolution that also accuses Israel of systematically destroying Palestinian infrastructure and of targeting civilians and medical facilities. European Union countries abstained and Canada voted against the resolution. The resolution approved in Geneva Monday urges an end to the rocket attacks but mentions neither Hamas nor violations of Israeli civilians' rights. Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert referred to the international public opinion and to growing demands that Israel cease its military operation in Gaza. During a visit at the Mikve Yisrael School in Holon, Olmert said that "They have no right to reproach us and to try and tell us how to defend our citizens." "I don't think our demands are exaggerated. We share the right of every state in the world to protect its citizens. We're not asking any other country's permission or approval in order to protect our residents," the prime minister said.