A high-ranking United Nations official has retired after causing controversy with his comments on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas terrorists. Craig Mokhiber, the director of the New York Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, sent a letter to the U.N. high commissioner for human rights calling for a one-state solution to the conflict.
In the letter, dated October 28th, Mokhiber stated that the “establishment of a single, democratic, secular state in all of historic Palestine” is necessary for peace and equality for all groups in the region, including Jews, Muslims, and Christians. This solution would mean dismantling the state of Israel, which has been met with criticism and accusations of anti-Semitism.
The comments have receiving backlash from both Israeli officials and human rights advocates. Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, stated that Mokhiber’s words are “antisemitism dressed up as human rights.” She believes that his call for a one-state solution would essentially mean the end of the Jewish state.
#BREAKING
The director of the UN’s human rights office in New York, Craig Mokhiber, has resigned from his position, citing the UN’s failure to effectively address the Israel-Palestine crisis.He stressed that the UN has bowed to the influence of the US and the Israeli lobby.… pic.twitter.com/Tyzr1cbN7d
— Geo Maestro (@mavi9261) November 1, 2023
Mokhiber, who retired on October 28th, also accused the US and Western allies of being “wholly complicit” in Israel’s actions, claiming that they are “active in arming [Israel] and giving political and diplomatic cover for [its] atrocities.” This statement has been met with criticism as well, with many seeing it as biased against Israel.
His comments have sparked further accusations of anti-Semitism within the United Nations, an organization that has long been criticized for its treatment of Israel. Last week, Israel’s U.N. Ambassador called for the resignation of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres after he seemed to imply that Hamas’ attacks on Israel were a result of their “suffocating occupation.”
The Office of Human Rights issued a statement saying that Mokhiber’s letter reflects his personal views and not those of the organization. However, Bayefsky believes that Mokhiber’s letter highlights what “is really going on at the U.N. in the war now being waged by and at the U.N. against Israel.”
The director of the New York office of the UN high commissioner for human rights, Craig Mokhiber, has left his post.
He protested that the UN is “failing” in its duty to prevent what he categorizes as genocide of Palestinian civilians in Gaza under Israeli bombardment and citing… pic.twitter.com/EbjPI8F2NQ
— Clash Report (@clashreport) November 1, 2023
The controversy surrounding Mokhiber’s comments has raised questions about the United Nations’ stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict and its handling of issues related to Israel. Critics argue that the organization has a history of being biased against Israel, with a disproportionate number of resolutions being introduced to condemn the country. This latest incident only serves to reinforce these accusations.
As of now, it is unclear what actions, if any, the United Nations will take in response to Mokhiber’s comments. However, his retirement has left many wondering whether the organization will address the issue of anti-Semitism within its ranks and work towards promoting a more unbiased and diplomatic approach to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.