UN Human Rights Chief Points Finger at Trump for Antisemitism - While Preparing Antisemitic UN Blacklist of Israeli Companies

In remarks to the UN Human Rights Council on March 8, 2017, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Jordanian Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein noted his "concern" about the handling of antisemitic incidents in the United States. However, the High Commissioner failed to note that his own office is preparing a "database" of all companies that conduct business - directly or indirectly - relating to Israeli "settlements" in Arab-claimed territories. The idea of a boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) blacklist came from a March 2016 resolution of the UN Human Rights Council. The blacklist, originally scheduled for release during the current session of the UN Human Rights Council, will be released before December 2017 after the High Commissioner requested more time to prepare the database.

In the words of the March 8, 2017, statement: "In the United States of America, I am concerned by the new Administration's handling of a number of human rights issues. Greater and more consistent leadership is needed to address the recent surge in discrimination, anti-Semitism, and violence against ethnic and religious minorities."

In the statement, the High Commissioner also equated Hamas's indiscriminately firing of rockets onto Israeli civilian populations and Israel's exercise of the right to self-defense:

"And while I repeat my alarm over unguided rockets sporadically fired by Palestinian armed groups from populated areas toward civilian areas in Israel – which are violations of international humanitarian law – I am similarly concerned that Israeli responses often do not meet the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution."

Additionally, the High Commissioner failed to mention any of the slew of Palestinian stabbing, shooting, or car ramming attacks, including a Palestinian hitchhiker stabbing an Israeli driver the day before his statement.