UN Body to Probe Settler Colonies

On 19 March, the 19^th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution ordering a first investigation into how Israeli settlements affect the human rights of the Palestinians. The resolution was adopted with 36 votes in favor and 10 abstentions. The United States of America was the only Member State to vote against it.

Presenting the resolution on behalf of the join sponsors, a Pakistani envoy criticized Israel for insisting on building more settler colonies in the occupied Palestinian territories and other Arab territories, charging that Israel is in violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws.

Beyond ordering an investigation into the implications of settler colonies in the occupied territories, the resolution also calls on Israel to take and implement serious measures such as confiscating arms to prevent acts of violence by Israeli settlers.

The United States, however, spoke up against the move, saying it was deeply troubled by this Council`s bias against Israel. Steps like this do nothing to promote a just and lasting peace, said a US envoy, adding that they only serve to push parties apart.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu promptly condemned the resolution. In a statement release by the PM’s Office, he said, This council has an automatic majority against Israel and is hypocritical and added that the UN Human Rights Council ought to be ashamed of itself.[i]

Earlier in the same week, the UN High Commission for Human Rights Navi Pillay told the Council that “certain human rights challenges...are intrinsically linked to the continuing expansion of Israeli settlements. Violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians is one such challenge.”[ii]

UN HRC resolution

[i]  Eli Leon et al., “Israel won’t cooperate with UN ‘fact-finding mission’ on settlements,” Israpundit (23 March 2012), at: http://www.israpundit.com/archives/44617.

[ii]  “Settlements linked to violence against Palestinians: UN,” AP (19 March 2012), at:  

http://www.dawn.com/2012/03/19/settlements-linked-to-violence-against-palestinians-un.html.