GENEVA – Reacting to the report issued by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI), which accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza in a bid to “destroy the Palestinians,” the World Jewish Congress released the following statement:
“This report is yet another example of the COI failing to uphold basic standards of impartiality and avoiding the politicalization of its work. The Commission’s conclusions continue to reflect one-sided narratives rather than objective investigation.
“That the report was released as the COI members resigned only underscores the extent to which its conclusions are politically driven and lack impartiality. As the current COI members depart, any new appointees, if selected, must be thoroughly vetted to prevent the continuation of the Commission’s past flaws, antisemitic narratives, or politically biased work.
The WJC recalls that in July, Executive Vice President Maram Stern addressed a letter to Ambassador Jürg Lauber, President of the UN Human Rights Council, warning that the COI’s mandate, composition, and past conduct fail to ensure fairness and impartiality. Stern concluded by urging that “future appointments to the Commission be made with particular care to avoid perpetuating or deepening existing concerns regarding antisemitism or bias against Israel.”