Schumer calls for Schabas’s removal, winning Jewish leaders’ praise

Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) Friday urged the UN Human Rights Council to remove William Schabas as head of the probe into the recent Gaza conflict, citing his past comments against Israel which the senator says rules him out as a fair judge of the war.

Schumer added that if Schabas is not removed, the US should halt its funding of the UNHRC as well as any participation in it.

Jewish leaders are applauding the senator’s stance, with the heads of the Conference of Presidents, Robert G. Sugarman and Malcolm Hoenlein, saying they too have urged UN chief Ban-ki Moon to reconsider Schabas’s appointment.

“We hope that the House and Senate will join and follow Senator Schumer’s lead in communicating their opposition to Schabas having a continuing role in any investigation of the Gaza conflict,” the Conference leadership said.