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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| UN to criticise Israel over Gaza | UN to criticise Israel over Gaza |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The UN investigator into human rights in the Palestinian territories is set to present his latest report to the UN human rights council in Geneva. | The UN investigator into human rights in the Palestinian territories is set to present his latest report to the UN human rights council in Geneva. |
| It is the first such report since Israel's incursion into Gaza. | It is the first such report since Israel's incursion into Gaza. |
| Richard Falk has been highly critical of Israel in the past, and his new report is no exception. | Richard Falk has been highly critical of Israel in the past, and his new report is no exception. |
| In it he questions the legality of Israel's actions in Gaza. Israel, however, has repeated accusations that Mr Falk is biased. | |
| Israeli authorities denied him entry last December, when he attempted to conduct his regular investigative mission to the Palestinian territories. | Israeli authorities denied him entry last December, when he attempted to conduct his regular investigative mission to the Palestinian territories. |
| Because Mr Falk was unable to enter the Palestinian territories, his latest report focuses instead on the legality of Israel's incursion into Gaza. | Because Mr Falk was unable to enter the Palestinian territories, his latest report focuses instead on the legality of Israel's incursion into Gaza. |
| 'War crime' | 'War crime' |
| He suggests that it is not a question of whether Israel used disproportionate force in Gaza, but rather whether Israel acted lawfully in entering Gaza at all. | He suggests that it is not a question of whether Israel used disproportionate force in Gaza, but rather whether Israel acted lawfully in entering Gaza at all. |
| He concludes that it did not, and that the incursion may constitute a war crime. | He concludes that it did not, and that the incursion may constitute a war crime. |
| He is calling for an independent inquiry to examine possible war crimes committed by both Israel and Hamas. | He is calling for an independent inquiry to examine possible war crimes committed by both Israel and Hamas. |
| Further, Mr Falk suggests that the Israeli blockade of Gaza is in violation of the Geneva Conventions and must be lifted. | Further, Mr Falk suggests that the Israeli blockade of Gaza is in violation of the Geneva Conventions and must be lifted. |
| The report is certain to anger Israel, which has long complained of bias by Mr Falk. | The report is certain to anger Israel, which has long complained of bias by Mr Falk. |
| But Mr Falk is not the first to suggest that Israel may have committed war crimes in Gaza. | But Mr Falk is not the first to suggest that Israel may have committed war crimes in Gaza. |
| In January, the UN human rights commissioner Navi Pillay expressed her concern at possible violations. | In January, the UN human rights commissioner Navi Pillay expressed her concern at possible violations. |
| The International Committee of the Red Cross has also said Israel failed to honour its obligation to treat civilians wounded in the conflict. | The International Committee of the Red Cross has also said Israel failed to honour its obligation to treat civilians wounded in the conflict. |