UN commission report accusing Israel of ‘extermination’ sparks controversy

A recent United Nations report has accused Israel of committing “the crime against humanity of extermination” and impeding religious freedoms. The U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel (COI) issued a scathing 19-page report that examines violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The report specifically focuses on attacks against educational facilities and religious and cultural sites, with a harsher emphasis on Israel than Palestinian authorities. The COI offers 13 recommendations for Israel, two for the de facto authorities in Gaza, two for the Government of the State of Palestine, and two for all U.N. member states.

The report has already sparked controversy, with the U.S. mission and legal experts expressing concerns over its content. Anne Bayefsky, Director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, and President of Human Rights Voices, called the report “a frightening indication of the antisemitism and incitement to violence spread by the United Nations on a global scale.”

Among the accusations against Israel, the COI claims that Israel is restricting religious freedoms, particularly citing its control over holy sites in Jerusalem. Palestinian worshipers are said to be subjected to increased security checks, harassment, and assault, with restrictions on who is allowed to enter the Temple Mount based on age, gender, and place of residence.

Additionally, the commission alleges that extremist Jews and right-wing politicians have been allowed to enter the site with a police escort, pray, and provoke tensions, despite a prohibition against Jewish prayer. The COI appears to take greater issue with Jews praying than with the ban on their ability to do so, despite claiming to admonish restrictions on religious freedoms.

A State Department spokesperson expressed opposition to the COI’s mandate and involvement in investigating the conflict, citing reservations about its structure and approach. The U.S. firmly opposes the COI’s open-ended and vaguely defined mandate.

The report also mentions instances where parties to the conflict interfered with UNRWA schools, with the majority of harm to educational facilities attributed to Israeli forces. The commission calls on Israel to cease the use of educational facilities and cultural sites for military purposes and provide effective remedies for victims of human rights violations.

Overall, the report paints a complex picture of the ongoing conflict in the region, highlighting the need for all parties to respect human rights and religious freedoms. The recommendations provided by the COI aim to address these issues and promote accountability for violations committed by all parties involved.