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UN rights body adopts resolution holding Israel accountable for possible war crimes

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the media in a past address. (Photo: AFP)

By John Mbati | 05 Apr 2024

This is the first time the UN Human Rights Council is taking a position on the escalating war.

The United Nations Human Rights Council, on Friday, adopted a resolution pushing for Israel to be held accountable for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Gaza Strip.

Out of the 47 countries that took action on the draft resolution, 28 supported it, six voted against it and 13 abstained.

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“Draft resolution A/HRC/55/L.30 on the Human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice was adopted,” the United Nations Human Rights Council said via a statement posted on X.

The resolution also calls for a halt to all arms sales to Israel, accusing it of “committing genocide” in its war on Gaza.

This is the first time the UN Human Rights Council is taking a position on the escalating war, insisting that it needed to act “to prevent further violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights”.

It also cited the International Court of Justice ruling in January which warned that there was a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza.

The decision is a major milestone in efforts to end the war in Gaza, coming a week after the UN Security Council in New York passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire. The US abstained from voting on the resolution as President Joe Biden continues to heap pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider his stance on the war.

Biden, on Thursday, April 4, 2024, further threatened to change US policy and condition support for Israel unless its Prime Minister takes concrete steps to protect aid workers and civilians.

The phone call between Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu followed a fatal attack on World Central Kitchen aid workers which Israel said was a mistake.

According to a statement by the White House, Biden made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.

"The president made clear that U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps," the White House added.