Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz has publicly denounced a recent United Nations report that accuses Israel of genocide against Palestinians, particularly in the Gaza Strip. Released by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory (COI), the report asserts that Israel holds significant responsibility for both initiating and failing to address acts of genocide. Cruz condemned this assertion as yet another anti-Semitic attack aimed at undermining Israel’s efforts, especially in the wake of Hamas’s violent actions on October 7. He emphasized that such allegations not only jeopardize U.S. national security but also hinder Israel’s ability to confront Hamas, ultimately suggesting that the Trump administration and Congress have the necessary tools to impose sanctions on those responsible for the report.
Anne Bayefsky, head of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, also criticized the UN inquiry, calling its findings a promotion of genocide against Jews. She argued that the report unjustly presents Hamas’s violent acts as understandable responses to previous Israeli actions, thereby minimizing the severity and trauma experienced by Israeli citizens. Furthermore, Bayefsky highlighted the absence of recommendations aimed at Hamas within the report, criticizing its one-sided narrative. The COI’s failure to address Hamas’s role in the ongoing violence was seen as a significant omission, raising concerns over the accuracy and intentions behind the UN’s findings.
Salo Aizenberg, director of the media watchdog HonestReporting, countered the COI’s claims regarding Israel’s alleged attempts to prevent births in Gaza. He pointed out that if Israel genuinely aimed to annihilate Gaza’s population, it would not have allowed healthcare initiatives, such as vaccinations for children under 10, to continue. Aizenberg also noted the skewed statistics in the conflict narrative, indicating that many casualties in Gaza were combatants, which complicates the simple portrayal of a humanitarian crisis. His comments highlighted the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that the report fails to adequately represent.
The COI report made several recommendations, including calls for unhindered humanitarian access in Gaza. It cited a controversial assessment of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), labeling it a failure and suggesting that food aid distribution needed reassessment. However, GHF defended its operations, claiming that the COI report contained inaccuracies that could have been clarified with proper communication. GHF asserted that its distribution sites had not faced the violent allegations made in the report, questioning the accuracy of the UN’s narrative and emphasizing the positive contributions it had made during the crisis.
The COI’s report further identified particular Israeli officials as complicit in alleged genocidal actions while also indicating that numerous Israeli leaders and media commentators have made incendiary remarks that could be characterized as inciting genocide. This angle has drawn sharp criticism, considering the implications of holding public figures accountable for their statements, which could have chilling effects on free speech. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres stated that legal determinations regarding genocide are beyond his remit and should fall to courts like the International Court of Justice, signifying a careful diplomatic stance on the matter.
In response to the COI findings, calls have grown for the U.S. to take stronger actions against participation in the UN’s inquiry. Critics like Bayefsky contend that existing U.S. laws restricting funding for the COI have not been effective, urging a more robust response to mitigate its perceived threats against both American and Israeli interests. The State Department has been approached for clarification on whether it intends to take sanctions against COI members or hinder their participation in the upcoming General Assembly. However, no responses were provided, leaving questions regarding the future of U.S.-UN relations concerning these sensitive accusations.
