Yesh Atid MK Haim Jelin on Monday explained his decision to testify before the UN Human Rights Council commission tasked with investigating possible rights violations during Summer 2014's conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Jelin, who formerly served as head of the Eshkol regional council, which borders Gaza, decided to testify before the committee, despite the fact that Israel chose not to cooperate with the UNHRC investigation. The UNHRC report was scheduled to be released on Monday.
Jelin released portions of his testimony to the council in which he defended the actions of the Israeli army, and slammed the report's singling out of Israel. "Israel is the most moral army in the world. Instead of our soldiers fighting, politicians need to come out in their defense, to tell the truth, take action and to fight for our rights" he stated.
MK Jelin stood behind the decision to represent the Israeli people in general and people of Southern Israel in particular before the committee. "I don't like boycotts. I am not prepared to boycott and I don't believe it was correct to boycott. Even if there is no chance, you must know how to fight for what's right with perseverance and not to give up. We mustn't give up and lose hope. We must continue to ensure our truth is heard, and this, the government of Israel is not doing."
Jelin criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not appointing a full-time foreign minister, saying that he wasn't sure how Netanyahu intended to defend Israel against the UNHRC report.
