Calls for Israeli Accountability Dominate UN Session on Palestinians

GENEVA - A U.N. human rights council special session to address the human rights situation in Palestinian territory was dominated by calls for Israel to be held accountable for alleged abuses. No European or North American country was among the more than 60 member and observer states that supported the request.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michele Bachelet opened the proceedings by recapitulating what she called the appalling events that led up to the special session. She noted 242 Palestinians, including 63 children, were killed by Israeli strikes on Gaza, and another 28 Palestinians, including five children, were killed in East Jerusalem. Sorry, but your browser cannot support embedded video of this type, you can download this video to view it offline. At the same time, she reported indiscriminate rocket fire launched by Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups from Gaza killed 12 Israeli citizens, including two children. She said the heavy rocket barrage triggered the 11-day clashes between Israel and Palestinians.