The United Nations has drawn sharp criticism for a recent report from the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI), which accuses Israel of committing ‘the crime against humanity of extermination’ and restricting religious freedoms. The 19-page document details allegations of Israel’s alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including attacks on educational and religious sites. The report has sparked controversy, with the U.S. and legal experts expressing concerns over its content, with some critics accusing it of antisemitism and incitement to violence.
A U.N. commission has sparked backlash after issuing a scathing 19-page report in which members accuse Israel of committing ‘the crime against humanity of extermination.’ The report, issued by the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel (COI), has sparked controversy, with the U.S. mission and legal experts expressing concerns over its content.
The COI’s report examines violations of international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and possible international crimes relating to attacks against educational facilities and religious and cultural sites. The commission, however, appears to be harsher on Israel than Palestinian authorities, as it 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.
Among its many accusations against Israel, the report includes claims that Israel is restricting religious freedoms, citing its control over holy sites in Jerusalem. The commission stated that Palestinian worshipers were ‘subjected to increased security checks, checkpoints, harassment and assault, and criteria, linked to age, gender and place of residence, have been applied by Israeli authorities to restrict which Palestinians are allowed to enter the Temple Mount.’