ONHCR country director to Israel criticizes Netanyahu over visa controversy

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights ( OHCHR) country director to Israel says the Israeli government is trying to silence UN officials exposing its atrocities on the Palestinian people.

Israel refused to renew 9 of 12 UN agency officials working in Palestine on a humanitarian basis, over accusations that the workers are wrongfully harming Israel's image in the occupied West Bank.

This followers after the UN agency published an exposé showing a list of more than 100 Israeli companies working in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israel responded to the revelation by suspending ties with the UN branch.

Now 9 of 12 UN workers have been forced to leave the country and one Palestinian pop star, vocal of Israel’s human rights track record, has been prohibited from returning home.

“Forcing [out] human right monitoring groups is part of a clear strategy that aims to muzzle documentations of Israel’s systematic repression of Palestinians,” Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine director for Human Rights Watch

The remaining 3 UN officials visas are set to expire in the months to come. There’s no word from the Israeli government on any plans to renew them.

By: Niza Nondo