Below are selected quotes from the January 23-24, 2008 UN Human Rights Council emergency special session condemning Israel for human rights violations in Gaza. The final resolution passed by a vote of 30 to 1 — Canada alone showed moral courage — with 15 abstentions from EU and other states. For more information about anti-Israel resolutions at the Human Rights Council, click here.
- “Israel writes another chapter of terror, massacres, ethnic cleansing, which constitute the pillars of its own creation… Any attempt to curb the Israeli actions is dubbed anti-Semitism. They have a free license to persecute the Palestinian Semites.” — Palestinian Ambassador Mohammad Abu-Koash
- “The occupation authorities should immediately cease its criminal activities… The real aim of Israel from these aggressions and crimes is in fact to deliberately abort all Arab and international efforts to invigorate the peace process…” — Syrian Ambassador Faysal Khabbaz Hamoui on behalf of the Group of Arab states and the Islamic Group
- “Occupation… is the worst form of systematic violations of fundamental human rights…” — Egyptian Ambassador Sameh Shoukry on behalf of the African Group
- “In the name of God, the most compassionate and merciful… [This is] the worst kind of collective punishment, the murder of civilians and children. The Israeli authorities are committed to do such crimes and they are defying international law… This council must immediately intervene to help the Palestinian people.” — Saudi Arabian Ambassador Abdulwahab Abdulsalam Attar
- “Civilians are being killed by air strikes… Israeli helicopters, bulldozers… A humanitarian crisis on an unprecedented scale…” — Pakistani representative Imtinan Elahi Qureshi
- “It is ironic that Israel should now have a policy of Ghettoization… What we see now is the wall of Apartheid, as well described by Jimmy Carter…” — Sri Lankan Ambassador Dayan Jayatilleka
- “Taking Gaza as hostage is unprecedented. This leads to war crimes…” — Algerian Ambassador Idriss Jazaïry
- “What has been perpetuated by Israel is contrary to international law — bombing houses, killing of women and children. This is contrary to international standards… Occupation is the main reason of these violations…” — Sudanese representative Omer Dahab Fadol Mohamed
- “This is the fourth special session on gross violations of human rights by the Israeli regime… These violent and cruel actions constitute flagrant violations of international humanitarian law… Israel continues its crimes and atrocities against Palestinian people.” — Iranian representative Asadollah Eshragh Jahromi
- “Aggression and dangerous massacres are perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people… It is ironic that we hear voices calling for equality in dealing with this issue. Equality should mean taking into account sufferings of the unarmed and innocent…” — Yemeni Ambassador Ibrahim Said Al-Adoofi
- “Israel’s blockade creates a serious humanitarian crisis. As a result, people were subjected to further injuries. This is one of many violations perpetrated by Israel constantly… Perpetrators should be brought before justice. These violations are supported by the U.S.A. and Western allies.” — North Korean representative Choe Myong Nam
