Israeli Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor on Wednesday morning went on the offensive, slamming the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) committee appointed to investigate Israel over allegations of “war crimes” in Operation Protective Edge.
Israel and the US have both rejected the three-man UNHRC committee which is headed by Prof. William Schabas, a Canadian law professor known for his blatant bias against Israel.
“To establish an investigative committee headed by Schabas is like inviting Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) to arrange the religious tolerance week at the UN,” quipped Prosor in an interview on Galei Tzahal (IDF Radio).
“There can be no doubt that Israel must not cooperate with a committee headed by this professor of international law. It is completely clear that this committee is designed for failure – its entire goal is to trip up Israel,” elaborated the ambassador.
Noting the bias of Schabas, Prosor sarcastically remarked that when the professor was asked “if he will also investigate Hamas, he said he would need to consult with members of the committee. A telephone member can be arranged for him – (Syrian President) Bashar Assad.”
Indeed, Palestinian Authority (PA) Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki on Tuesday stated his confidence that the UNHRC committee will find Israel guilty. Earlier that day, Finance Minister Yair Lapid termed it “a ridiculous committee of ridiculous commissionership, that instead of investigating the murder of millions of Muslims by other Muslims, investigates the most moral army on the planet.”
Britain can “learn from Israel”
Prosor, who in the past was an Israeli ambassador to London, remarked on the British threats to suspend 12 arms export licenses to Israel if the fighting resumed in Gaza.
“Britain needs to weigh things again before it boycotts the state of Israel. Any country would stand to defend its citizens. Even Great Britain can learn from little Israel about this topic and not preach morals,” stated the ambassador.
Regarding the wider phenomenon of skyrocketing anti-Semitism in Europe and worldwide, Prosor explained “most European governments understand the challenges standing before Israel, (but) the public sees the pictures” of war-torn Gaza.
“This gap in the end will close, like in any democratic country. It will create a problem that won’t be easy,” said Prosor. He added “whoever doesn’t stand with Israel on the front of the war against terror will bear it on his doorstep.”
