Kerry Issues Throw-Away Line on Israel after Throwing Israel Under the Bus at UN "Human Rights" Council Elections

On October 28, 2016, the United States was re-elected by the UN General Assembly to a three-year term on the UN Human Rights Council commencing January 1, 2017. The United States was one of two countries to run on a fixed slate for the two open seats available to members of the Western European and Others regional group. The United States previously sat on the Council for two consecutive terms starting in 2009. The rules required a one-year hiatus before seeking a third-term. Joining and legitimizing the UN Human Rights Council was one of President Obama's and Secretary Clinton's very first foreign policy decisions.

After being elected on October 28, 2016 and re-confirming the Obama administration's enthusiasm for one of the UN's most consistently hostile anti-Israel institutions, US Secretary of State John Kerry issued the following statement:

"I am pleased the United States has been reelected by the United Nations General Assembly to a new term on the UN Human Rights Council...U.S. engagement has helped transform the Council into a more balanced and credible organization and has helped focus the global spotlight on grave violations and abuses of human rights around the world...While important challenges remain, including ending the Council's excessive and biased focus on Israel, we look forward to cooperating with other Council members to address human rights concerns, advance human rights around the world, and ensure the Council fully realizes its purpose."