GENEVA – Following the adoption of a biased anti-Israel resolution and in anticipation of the UN Human Rights Council’s approval of three additional resolutions Friday that promote a one-sided narrative against Israel, World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder issued a statement as the Council’s 58th Regular Session drew to a close:
“The United Nations Human Rights Council is once again being held hostage to bias at a global scale. This week’s slate of one-sided resolutions targeting Israel are the latest act of performative politics that has afflicted this body in recent years.
“The resolution already passed on Wednesday tacitly calls on the UNGA to open investigations of Israeli citizens. Contravening the robust and independent judiciary of a democratic state through the establishment of such a mechanism would be a dangerous and unprecedented step.
“This charade will continue tomorrow, when three more resolutions are brought for votes under the notorious Agenda Item 7. Their failure to so much as mention the atrocities committed by Hamas is a distortion of reality and should serve as a glaring red flag to anyone seeking true justice for the victims of October 7th and values principles of human rights.
“Unfortunately, too many UN members that are indeed supportive of their own national Jewish communities continue to act as a rubber stamp and perpetuate a cynical and targeted cycle of voting against the world’s only Jewish state.
“We appreciate the efforts of the United States and other key allies in the fight against antisemitism for significantly weakening the most egregious provisions in these texts. The international community must clearly reject the continued politicization of this once esteemed body.”
Czechia, Germany, Ethiopia and North Macedonia voted against Wednesday’s resolution. The United States withdrew from the Human Rights Council on 4 February 2025.
The anticipated adoption of tomorrow’s resolutions coincides with the expected renewal of Francesca Albanese’s mandate as Special Rapporteur on Palestinian territories. World Jewish Congress Executive Vice President Maram Stern wrote last week to UNHRC President Amb. Jürg Lauber, urging the Human Rights Council to oppose Albanese’s renewal, citing her documented history of antisemitism, repeated use of harmful antisemitic tropes and efforts to delegitimize Israel, including comparisons between the Jewish state and Nazi Germany.
On the renewal of Albanese’s mandate, Amb. Lauder said, “Francesca Albanese’s mandate must not be renewed.” He added, “Albanese has crossed every redline – invoking antisemitic tropes and comparing Israel to Nazi-Germany. It is time for the United Nations and Antonio Guterres to do better. Her continued service discredits the UN’s vital mission.”
Understanding the Bias of Each Resolution:
Human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice
- This resolution invites the United Nations General Assembly to consider establishing yet another mechanism against Israel, an ongoing and open-ended international investigative mechanism (IIM) against Israeli citizens, including those with dual citizenship, to supply information for national and international courts to prosecute individuals.
- The mechanism will be required to closely cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry against Israel by providing courts with selective information to support a predetermined narrative, further damaging the UN’s credibility.
- The resolution also calls for the cessation of arms sales to Israel, thus hindering its right of self-defense against attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and the Houthis.
Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan
- This resolution calls on governments to adopt punitive measures, such as sanctions, contract termination and legal action, that target businesses allegedly linked to Israeli settlements. It unfairly singles out Israel and seeks to pressure private actors under the guise of enforcing international humanitarian law.
Human Rights in the occupied Syrian Golan
- The resolution presents a one-sided view of a complex situation, ignoring Israel’s security concerns. By focusing exclusively on Israeli actions without addressing Syria’s role in regional instability, the resolution undermines the UN’s credibility.
Right of the Palestinian people to self-determination
- This resolution advances a one-sided and politicized narrative that unfairly singles out Israel while disregarding Palestinian terrorism, incitement and repeated rejections of peace proposals. Instead of fostering peace, it deepens division, institutionalizes bias, erodes credibility and obstructs meaningful progress toward a negotiated two-state solution.
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