UN warns Israel faces pariah status over Gaza actions

United Nations human rights experts have raised alarms regarding Israel's actions in Gaza, labeling them as potential genocide and warning that the country risks becoming an international pariah. The experts criticized Israel for its escalating violence and violations of human rights, as well as its disregard for international court rulings. They highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has persisted for over 11 months, and questioned the support provided by Western nations, including the U.S. and U.K., to Israel amidst these allegations. Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, emphasized the need for accountability, suggesting that Israel's membership in the UN could be reconsidered due to its actions. She condemned the double standards exhibited by Western countries, which have been more vocal about human rights violations in other contexts, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while remaining largely silent on Israel's conduct. Albanese's statements were supported by other UN experts who echoed concerns about the hypocrisy in international responses to human rights violations. They called for equal treatment of all nations under international law, urging that Israel should not be exempt from scrutiny. The experts expressed hope that Israeli citizens would advocate against their country becoming a pariah state, similar to South Africa during apartheid. Israel has denied the allegations of genocide, asserting that it takes measures to protect civilians. However, the ongoing conflict and the high number of Palestinian casualties have intensified calls for accountability and a reassessment of international support for Israel.