Statement by the Israel Mission to the U.N. in Geneva Regarding the Comments Made By Miloon Kothari During A Media Interview On the 25th July 2022

"Since the UN General Assembly recognised Israel as a member state, Israel has fought against many different forces looking to reverse this historic decision. For many years, Israel stood alone surrounded by those calling for its destruction and even now, Israel faces those attempting to undermine the very existence of the Jewish State.

It is therefore extremely disturbing that Miloon Kothari, a member of the UN Commission of Inquiry targeting Israel, has, in a recent media interview littered with evident bias, said, 'I would go as far as to raise the question of why Israel is even a member of the United Nations.'

When Mr. Kothari was appointed a Commissioner to this COI, Israel already questioned his suitability for the role, given previous comments regarding Israel, and given the fact he is subject to a formal complaint for violating UN regulations and ethical standards when carrying out an unauthorised official visit to Israel as Special Rapporteur for Housing.

The interview given by Mr. Kothari is just the latest in a number of extremely concerning comments expressed by the members to this Commission. Just last month, another member, Chris Soditi, claimed that some Jews were throwing around accusations of antisemitism 'like rice at a wedding' and in fact legitimising antisemitism against themselves. He also claimed these Jews, who felt they experienced antisemitism, defiled the memory of the 6 million victims of the Shoah. These comments completely undermine the experience of many Jewish people, and undermine the global struggle against antisemitism, which is on the rise throughout the world.

Since the Commission was formed in May 2021, as rockets rained down on Israeli civilians, it has been clear that its sole purpose was to find that the very creation of Israel is the root cause of the conflict and nothing else. It is now even more evident that this is the view of the Commissioners themselves, as well as many of the member states of the OIC who created it. Individuals holding such biased views should have never been appointed to positions requiring the highest standards of impartiality, objectivity and independence. With every report, the Commission will build towards this conclusion, and with every report, it will try to undermine the very foundations of the Jewish State.

Despite the evident bias against Israel in the UN system, Israel will continue to be a valuable and active member state. Here in Geneva, we will continue to work with truly independent mechanisms and on promoting and protecting human rights for all. We will never allow those trying to undermine the existence of Israel, the only Jewish State, to succeed."