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US rejects UN body’s proposal condemning Israel aid convoy attack
Phillip Crowley, the US State Department spokesman, said in a daily press briefing on Wednesday that the US voted “no” because it considered this move to be a rush to judgment.
The UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday condemned Israel over its “outrageous attack” on a flotilla carrying aid to the Gaza Strip and established an international fact-finding mission into possible violations of international law.
The resolution was adopted with 32 “yes” votes, nine abstentions and three “no” votes cast by the US, Israel’s closest ally, Italy and the Netherlands.
“I would call attention in the resolution that it actually condemned the attack by Israeli forces before Israel or anyone else has had the opportunity to fairly evaluate the facts. So that is the reason why we voted no,” Crowley justified their vote.
When a reporter pointed out that the resolution “condemned in the strongest terms the outrageous attack by Israeli forces,” Crowley said the resolution put full responsibility on Israel before there had even been an opportunity for an investigation. Asked if a fact-finding mission by the UN Human Rights Council would be welcomed the US, Crowley said the US does not support the UN proposal.
However, a day earlier, Crowley said the US would push for an international role in the probe. Also on Tuesday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, when asked whether it was important that the investigation be run by the Israelis and whether President Barack Obama wants the international community to be involved, said, “Obviously, we are open to ways to assure a credible investigation, including international participation.”
Meanwhile, US Vice President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he also backed Israel’s right to board ships bound for Gaza to prevent weapons smuggling, but added that Washington remained concerned about the plight of Palestinians there. Turkish officials vehemently rejected the allegations that peace activists possessed weapons. The US has trod carefully in its response to the deadly raid and has not joined the international condemnation of Israel’s use of force to stop the ships after its commandos were attacked as they rappelled down from helicopters in international waters. “Israel has an absolute right to deal with its security interest,” Biden said in an interview on PBS’s “Charlie Rose” show, while reiterating the Obama administration’s support for a transparent, impartial investigation of what happened.
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