UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon speaks durin
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon speaks durinAFP/File

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released a statement condemning the actions of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Wednesday, branding the vote to establish a commission of inquiry into Israel’s alleged human rights violations in Gaza “another shocking perversion” of the Council’s mandate.

The ADL expressed that such a commission will serve to further undermine the “cause of protecting international human rights.”

"With all of the evidence of the millions of Israelis hunkering down in bomb shelters under threat of Hamas rockets, of Hamas blatantly firing and storing rockets, missiles and other weaponry from and in schools, mosques, apartment buildings and ambulances, the Human Rights Council has again chosen to focus on alleged Israeli crimes," ADL National Director, Abraham H. Foxman, stated. 

"Does this institution not recall the absurdity of the investigation into Israel’s alleged crimes during in its 2008-09 Gaza operation?  Even the head of that commission, Justice Richard Goldstone, publicly repudiated the report’s conclusions."

Echoing a similar condemnation from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, Foxman predicted that the hearing will be, essentially, trial by kangaroo court.

"We already know how this will go," he said. "The inquiry will be staffed by individuals with a long record of bias and criticism of Israeli policies. Israel, understandably, will refuse to cooperate."

"A harsh, biased and fundamentally flawed report will be issued," he continued. "The only lasting impact will be the further undermining of the cause of protecting international human rights."

Foxman also noted the international reaction to the UNHRC decision. 

"We commend the United States for voting no, and standing up to this shocking perversion of the council’s responsibility to protect human rights," he said. "European Union member states should be ashamed for not doing the same."

The UNHRC is infamous for selectively targeting Israel, a stance which has been illustrated multiple times over the past month. 

Just prior to the announcement of an investigation into Operation Protective Edge, UNHRC chief Navi Pillay said that in her view there was a "strong possibility" that Israel was violating international law.

In June, the UNHRC skewered Israel at a meeting to discuss the operation to find abducted (and murdered) Israeli teens Naftali Frenkel (16), Gilad Sha'ar (16), and Eyal Yifrah (19), hy"d, in a hearing comprised almost entirely of anti-Israel testimonies.

Wild accusations made included claims that Israel is occupying both Syria and Lebanon, that Israel imprisons Palestinian children and the elderly, and a pro-Palestinian NGO's claim that Israel has "kidnapped Palestinian mothers" in comments just after the emotional speech of the mother of kidnapped teen Naftali Frenkel. 

Then, UNHRC High Commissioner Navi Pillay attacked Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas's rocket fire earlier this month, claiming that there is "no legitimate reason" for Israel to fight Hamas and implying that doing so "violates international law."