UK calls on Israel to co-operate with International Criminal Court Gaza probe
The UK has called on Israel to co-operate with the International Criminal Court after last year’s war in Gaza, backing a United Nations’ resolution to that effect.
British diplomats at the world body joined representatives of 40 other countries in urging the full implementation of recommendations from a UN commission set up to investigate last year’s hostilities. Only the United States voted against it.
The resolution notes “grave concerns” about possible war crimes and “deplores the non-cooperation by Israel with the independent inquiry”.
It also highlighted the civilian deaths during last year’s conflict and calls for “accountability and justice for all violations of international law” on both sides.
Israel has been criticised for not doing enough to protect civilians in Gaza, with the resolution noting that the Geneva Convention demands “protection of civilian persons in time of war”. Officials say that 1,462 Palestinian civilians died, including 551 children and 299 women, as did six Israeli civilians.
Palestinian envoys praised the vote and report, which they said “documents the crimes of terrorism committed against civilians, including the destruction of property and infrastructure”.
However Israeli leaders decried it as typically biased and – after thanking President Obama for his lone support – Benjamin Netanyahu said the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was “not really interested in facts and human rights”.
He added that Israel, “for no fault of its own, acted to defend itself from a murderous terrorist organisation” and that the UN should instead be criticising Iran, Syria and groups like ISIS.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
