GENEVA / HRC GAZA VOTE WRAP

The United Nations’ top human rights body has adopted a resolution that ‘condemns in the strongest terms’ the widespread, systematic and gross violations of international human rights and fundamental freedoms’ in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since Israeli military operations last month. UNTV CH

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:28
• Production Date: 23 July 2014
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - UNHRC
• Subject Topical: HUMAN RIGHTS; TERRITORIES OCCUPIED BY ISRAEL; TERRITORIES OCCUPIED BY ISRAEL
• Geographic Subject: ISRAEL; PALESTINE; PALESTINE
• MAMS Id: 1141378

Description

STORY: GENEVA / HRC GAZA VOTE WRAP
TRT: 2:28
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ARABIC / ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE:23 JULY 2014, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, exterior of Palais des Nations - flags
2. Med shot, podium
3. Wide shot, Human Rights Council
4. Wide shot, voting screen
5. Close up, voting screen results
6. Med shot, Human Rights Council President with gavel
7. Close up, Israeli delegate
8. Close up, Palestinian delegation
9. Wide shot, delegates
10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Raid Malki, Foreign Minister of Palestine:
“This is a punishment against 1.8 million inhabitants of our country. We must provide humanitarian assistance namely medecine, food, electricity and water to our people. We must also see the international community committing itself to rebuild the Gaza strip. Israel must provide guarantees not to reiterate its agression against Gaza.”
11. Wide shot, delegates
12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Raid Malki, Foreign Minister of Palestine.: “What Israel is doing in the occupied Palestinian territories including Jerusalem is a crime against humanity. This is a crime under international law. It is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and a blatant violation of the provisions of the fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians during times of war. It's also a violation of international human rights law. That is why we are appealing to the international community.”
13. Wide shot, Human Rights Council
14. Med shot, Human Rights Council president with gavel
15. Wide shot, delegates
16. SOUNDBITE (English) Eviatar Manor, Permanent Representative of Israel:
“Hamas is committing war crimes when it fire rockets and missiles indiscriminately at Israeli towns and villages. Hamas is protecting its launching sites with civilian residents of Gaza. Another war crime”
17. Wide shot, delegates
18. SOUNDBITE (English) Eviatar Manor, Permanent Representative of Israel: “Israel will destroy Hamas' military infrastructure. However, the Gaza residents are not our enemies. Israel is fully committed to international law.”
19. Wide shot, Human Rights Council

Storyline

The United Nations’ top human rights body has adopted a resolution that ‘condemns in the strongest terms’ the widespread, systematic and gross violations of international human rights and fundamental freedoms’ in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since Israeli military operations last month.

It also calls for an independent, international commission of inquiry to investigate all violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law committed during the recent conflict.

The resolution was adopted at a Special Session of the 47-member Human Rights Council on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, held in Geneva today.

Twenty nine (29) countries voted to support the resolution with just the United States voting against. Seventeen (17) countries abstained, including France, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom.

Delegates heard that more than 600 Palestinians have died since Israel began operation ‘Protective Edge’ on 7 July.

Among the dead are at least 147 children and 74 women. According to preliminary UN figures, around 74 percent of those killed so far have been civilians. Thousands more have been injured. Two Israeli civilians have been killed and between 17 and 32 others injured. 27 Israeli soldiers have been killed during military operations in Gaza.

The Human Rights Council resolution also ‘calls for an immediate cessation of Israeli military assaults throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and an end to attacks against all civilians, including Israeli civilians.’

Raid Malki, the Foreign Minister of Palestine, stressed that the fundamental right to life of the Palestinians was being endangered.

He said “what Israel is doing in the occupied Palestinian territories including Jerusalem is a crime against humanity. This is a crime under international law. It is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and a blatant violation of the provisions of the fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians during times of war. It's also a violation of international human rights law. That is why we are appealing to the international community.”

He also said that a fact-finding mission should be established to look into human rights violations perpetrated by Israel, which should visit Gaza with the Special Procedures mandate holders.

The Permanent Ambassador of Israel to the United Nations in Geneva said that Israel will destroy Hamas’ military infrastructure, but will fully respect international law.

Ambassador Eviatar Manor criticized the convening of the Special Session as misguided, ill-conceived and counter-productive to efforts being made to end hostilities.

At least 649 Palestinians and 31 Israelis have been killed in the past 15 days of fighting, officials say. The UN says almost 75% of those killed in Gaza are civilians, with medical clinics among the facilities hit by air strikes.