Zach LarkinsUN MORALS
Hillel C. Neuer is the executive director of the NGO United Nations Watch. The other day, he gave a speech at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. After the corruption seen in the UN under the watch of Kofi Annan, this man seems to be a real breath of fresh air. He calls ‘em as he sees ‘em.
The UN Commission on Human Rights was created sixty years ago in the aftermath of the Nazi horrors during WW II. Neuer asks what ever has become of that dream? With reports filtering in daily from around the world of torture and persecution, what has the council pronounced, and what has it decided? Absolutely nothing. Harry Truman said that it had become a Do-Nothing, Good-for-Nothing Council. True, but only up to a point. It has, in fact, enacted one resolution after another condemning a single state, that of Israel.
In eight pronouncements, Hamas and Hezbollah have been granted impunity while the rest of the world, with millions of victims in 191 countries, is ignored. The corrupt dictators behind this campaign will tell you that they seek to protect human rights, those of the Palestinians. But that begs the question of whether they truly do care about Palestinian rights?
Consider that in the past few months more than 130 Palestinians were killed by Palestinian forces. This is three times the combined total that were ‘needed' to call special sessions in July and November. The champions of Palestinian rights were right in the thick of things, saying nothing. Three-year-old Salam Balousha and his two brothers were murdered in their car by Hamas troops. Why has the council chosen to remain silent? The short answer: Because Israel could not be blamed.
This Council couldn't care less about Palestinians, or about any human rights for that matter. All they want to do is demonize Israeli democracy, to delegitimize the Jewish state, to scapegoat the Jewish people. And because of that, what was once a rather noble dream is quickly turning into a nightmare.
Mr. Neuer gave it to them with both barrels. He deserves to be listened to. Hopefully the UN will pull itself up by the bootstraps and become a respectable institution again. Otherwise, let's quit wasting time, money and effort and do away with it.
The UN Commission on Human Rights was created sixty years ago in the aftermath of the Nazi horrors during WW II. Neuer asks what ever has become of that dream? With reports filtering in daily from around the world of torture and persecution, what has the council pronounced, and what has it decided? Absolutely nothing. Harry Truman said that it had become a Do-Nothing, Good-for-Nothing Council. True, but only up to a point. It has, in fact, enacted one resolution after another condemning a single state, that of Israel.
In eight pronouncements, Hamas and Hezbollah have been granted impunity while the rest of the world, with millions of victims in 191 countries, is ignored. The corrupt dictators behind this campaign will tell you that they seek to protect human rights, those of the Palestinians. But that begs the question of whether they truly do care about Palestinian rights?
Consider that in the past few months more than 130 Palestinians were killed by Palestinian forces. This is three times the combined total that were ‘needed' to call special sessions in July and November. The champions of Palestinian rights were right in the thick of things, saying nothing. Three-year-old Salam Balousha and his two brothers were murdered in their car by Hamas troops. Why has the council chosen to remain silent? The short answer: Because Israel could not be blamed.
This Council couldn't care less about Palestinians, or about any human rights for that matter. All they want to do is demonize Israeli democracy, to delegitimize the Jewish state, to scapegoat the Jewish people. And because of that, what was once a rather noble dream is quickly turning into a nightmare.
Mr. Neuer gave it to them with both barrels. He deserves to be listened to. Hopefully the UN will pull itself up by the bootstraps and become a respectable institution again. Otherwise, let's quit wasting time, money and effort and do away with it.
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