US/World News

Israel singled out for criticism on women’s rights at Norway’s UN forum

(JTA) — Norway and six EU countries voted at the United Nations in favor of two resolutions that singled out Israel alone for criticism as a violator of women’s and human rights. In the July 23 vote at the 54-nation UN Economic and Social Council, whose rotating president is currently the Norwegian UN ambassador, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg and Malta joined China, Russia, Iran and Venezuela and 29 other nations in supporting a resolution that says “that the Israeli occupation remains a major obstacle for Palestinian women and girls with regard to the fulfillment of their rights.”

Another resolution passed mentioned “social repercussions of the Israeli occupation” more generally.

Israel was the only country named as a violator or trouble spot by the Council during the session, according to the UN Watch organization.

Only Canada and the United States voted against the resolution. The United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Romania and Ukraine were among the nine nations that abstained.

Nikki Haley, the previous U.S. ambassador to the UN, tweeted on July 25 : “It amazes me how the UN condones votes like these. It is a total mockery of human rights to allow Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, and Yemen to name Israel as the world’s only violator of women’s rights. #Embarrassing.”

Dutch lawmakers from six parties, including the ruling People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, submitted a parliamentary query with critical questions to the foreign ministry over the vote. “Do you consider this proportional?” they asked the ministry, which must reply next month.

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