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The claim by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, that Israel does not have the right to defend itself against Hamas terrorists caused an uproar among Israeli officials and human rights activists. Bachelet made the comment while discussing the fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“In launching their attacks, Hamas and other militants in Gaza must abide by international humanitarian law, including by not targeting civilians,” Bachelet said. “Israel, too, must respect international humanitarian law, especially the principles of proportionality and distinction, in its operations. As has been stated by the Israeli Supreme Court: the right to self-defense does not grant the right to respond without constraint to an act of aggression. We remind Israel of its obligations under international law.”
Israeli officials and human rights activists were quick to express their outrage over Bachelet’s statement. Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said Bachelet’s words “limit Israel’s inherent right to self-defense,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the statement “scandalous”. Israeli human rights groups also called for Bachelet to retract her statement, saying that it was “unacceptable and completely inappropriate”.
Bachelet’s remarks were seen by many as another example of the UN’s failure to address the human rights abuses perpetrated by Hamas, and its willingness to condemn Israel. Israeli officials and activists argued that Bachelet’s remarks suggested that Hamas had the right to attack Israeli civilians, while Israeli civilians did not have the right to defend themselves.
Despite the widespread outcry, Bachelet has defended her comments and has refused to retract them. She has maintained that her remarks were intended to urge all parties to abide by international law, and that she was not suggesting that Israel did not have the right to defend itself against Hamas terrorists.