Head of UN Commission of Inquiry on Gaza resigns

(Baonghean.vn) - In response to Israel's accusations of doubting the objectivity of William Schabas - head of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry in Gaza, Mr. Schabas recently submitted his resignation to the Human Rights Council.

Gaza residents try to find what's left in the rubble after the conflicts in the summer of 2014. Photo: AFP/Mohammed Abed

According to Jerusalem’s accusations, in 2012, Mr. Schabas worked as a consultant for the Palestine Liberation Organization. During this period, Mr. Schabas drafted a legal document and was paid $1,300. Based on this evidence, the Israeli side believes that Mr. Schabas did not meet its objectivity.

In a letter to the Human Rights Council and to Reuters about the allegations made by Israel, Mr. William Schabas stated that he did not interfere with the investigative reports on the conflict in the summer of 2014 that left 2,143 Palestinians and 71 Israelis dead.

On August 11, 2014, the Human Rights Council appointed Canadian William Schabas as the head of the UN Commission of Inquiry in Gaza. Mr. Schabas was tasked with investigating violations of international law during Israel’s Operation Protective Edge in the Palestinian Territories in the summer of 2014 and reporting back to the United Nations.

It is known that this is not the first time Israel has accused non-governmental organizations when these organizations have issued reports related to the Gaza Strip. Mr. Yigal Palmor, spokesman for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, once condemned the UN Commission of Inquiry as a "puppet court" or criticized the Human Rights Council for gradually becoming "a council demanding the rights of terrorists".

Chu Thanh

According to Le Monde 3/2