The United Nations Human Rights New York office has tendered Craig Mokhiber's resignation as a form of protest against the United Nations' approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The director, who had previously characterized the attacks on Gaza as a "textbook case of genocide," has taken this step to express their dissatisfaction with the organization's handling of the situation, as per Mail Online.
UN Official's Gaza Genocide Stance Sparks Controversy
The UN logo is seen on a door at the United Nations headquarters ahead of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 15, 2023.
Throughout his career, he has held significant roles, including leading the high commissioner's work on a human rights-based approach to development and serving as a senior human rights adviser in Palestine, Afghanistan, and Sudan.
Mokhiber's expertise and dedication to human rights have earned him praise and criticism, particularly regarding his stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In his resignation letter, Mokhiber expressed deep disappointment in the UN's inability to prevent what he perceives as a genocide unfolding in Gaza. He cited previous failures of the UN to prevent genocides in Rwanda, Bosnia, Iraq, and Myanmar, emphasizing that the organization is once again failing to fulfill its duty to protect innocent lives.
Mokhiber accused the US, UK, and much of Europe of not only refusing to meet their treaty obligations under the Geneva Conventions but also actively supporting Israel's assault through arms sales and political support. Mokhiber's resignation letter did not mention the attack by Hamas on southern Israel that preceded Israel's counterattacks.
His omission of this event has led to criticism from some quarters, who argue that it undermines the credibility of his argument. dditionally, Mokhiber's call for the effective end of the state of Israel and the establishment of a single, democratic secular state in all of historic Palestine has stirred controversy, with opponents accusing him of antisemitism, according to Washington Examiner.
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Resignation Reveals Human Rights Double Standards
The response to Mokhiber's resignation has been mixed. Louis Charbonneau, the UN director at Human Rights Watch, commended Mokhiber for highlighting the double standards in the UN's approach to human rights issues, particularly when it comes to Israel and Palestine.
Charbonneau acknowledged that not everyone may agree with all of Mokhiber's views but recognized the power of his argument and the need for the UN to reassess its approach. On the other hand, Anne Bayefsky, who directs Touro College's Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust in New York, accused Mokhiber of antisemitism.
She condemned his use of a UN letterhead to advocate for the "wiping Israel off the map," a phrase often associated with calls for the destruction of Israel. Bayefsky's criticism highlights the controversy surrounding Mokhiber's statements and actions regarding Israel.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has had devastating consequences for the people of Gaza. Reports indicate a significant loss of life, with Israeli officials reporting over 1,400 deaths since the Hamas attacks on October 7. The Gaza Ministry of Health, controlled by Hamas, claims that over 8,300 people have died in Israeli counterstrikes.
Pro-Palestinian supporters argue that Israel has been withholding humanitarian aid from innocent Palestinians trapped in the region. President Joe Biden has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians and allow aid to flow into Gaza.
However, critics argue that these measures alone are insufficient to address the deep-rooted issues underlying the conflict, The Guardian reported.
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