UN rights body criticizes Israel over settlements
United States is only member of the 47-nation council to vote against the Arab-backed resolution
GENEVA (AP) — The UN’s top human rights body has passed five resolutions critical of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in what has become a regular condemnation of Israeli policy.
Members of the UN Human Rights Council criticized Israel for the construction of settlements on territory claimed by the Palestinians and for abuses allegedly perpetrated against civilians.
The United States was the only member of the 47-nation council to vote against each of the Arab-backed resolutions. US envoy Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe said Washington also disagreed with Israel over the settlement, but said the US “continues to be deeply troubled by this council’s biased and disproportionate focus on Israel.”
Israel didn’t participate in Friday’s debate at the Geneva-based council, which it says is biased against the Jewish state.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press
