Israel should not cooperate with UN inquiry on Gaza. (FM, Avigdor Lieberman)

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has lashed out at an inquiry panel set up by the U.N. to investigate alleged war crimes committed by Israel during the latter's weeks-long onslaught on the Gaza Strip.
"We must not cooperate with the [U.N.] committee," Lieberman asserted in a Wednesday press statement. "We must not give legitimacy to a biased committee."
On Monday, the Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) ordered the formation of an "independent commission of Inquiry" tasked with investigating possible Israeli violations of international and human rights law "in the West Bank and, particularly, the Gaza Strip."


At least 1955 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 10,000 others injured in relentless Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since the launch of Israel's "Operation Protective Edge" early last month.

According to Israeli figures, at least 64 Israeli soldiers have been killed in battles with Palestinian fighters in the embattled coastal strip, while three Israeli civilians were killed by Palestinian rocket attacks.

Lieberman also blasted the commission head William Schabas, a Canadian professor of international law.
"If such a man [Schabas] can be chosen as the chairman of this commission, no one should be surprised that Israel is not cooperating with it," Lieberman said, adding that Schabas "should not be allowed to step inside Israel."

Schabas has voiced criticism of the Israeli government in recent years, including comments suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres should be prosecuted before the International Criminal Court.
http://www.aa.com.tr/en/news/372976--israel-should-not-cooperate-with-un-inquiry-on-gaza-fm
13/8/14
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Related:

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• Egypt opens border crossing with Gaza Strip to receive injured Palestinians (the Rafah border crossing)

• French FM: World should impose Middle East solution / It will take $6 billion to rebuild Gaza post-war

• Egypt denounces US remarks on crackdown as "ignorant" .(US Department of State explained why the US suspended its annual aid to Egypt while it continued to Israel)

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• OHCHR: Pillay condemns continuing attacks on civilians in Gaza. (the core principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack)

• US urges "precise operation" from Israel in Gaza ground campaign

• Netanyahu to Italian foreign minister: World must condemn Hamas

• EU offers ‘unprecedented’ aid to Israelis, Palestinians for peace deal