UNHRC calls on countries to halt sale of arms to Israel

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted on Friday a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and supply of humanitarian aid and demanding that Israel “end its occupation of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.” It also condemned Israel’s actions that “may amount to ethnic cleansing” as well as its “use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare in Gaza.” The resolution was approved with 28 countries voting in favor, 13 abstaining, and 6 voting against, including the United States and Germany.

The UNHRC also called on countries to halt the sale of arms to Israel “when they assess that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that such goods, technologies or weapons might be used to violate or abuse human rights.” It slammed Israel for “persistent non-cooperation” with UN mechanisms and demanded that it grant access to the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which seeks to investigate violations of international law.