Kenya, Feb. 5 -- On February 5, 2025, Israel said it would leave the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). They made this choice because they believe the council often shows bias against Israel.
Israel's Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, spoke about this decision and criticised the council for what he calls unfair treatment of Israel.
Israel feels that the UNHRC pays too much attention to its actions, especially through something called Agenda Item 7.
This rule makes sure that Israel's human rights record is talked about at every meeting. No other country has a similar rule, which leads many to think there is unfair bias.
Over time, Israel has faced more resolutions and special discussions from the UNHRC than any other country, even though other nations have serious human rights problems too.
The United States has also left the UNHRC in the past. Under former President Trump, they withdrew in 2018 for similar reasons but returned under President Biden, who wanted to change the council for the better.
Israel's decision to leave the UNHRC is similar to this situation, and people online have different opinions about it. Some have made jokes and questioned why Israel was still part of the council for so long, while others think it is a good decision to stand up against what they see as bias.
People are discussing whether international bodies like the UNHRC are effective and fair in handling human rights issues around the world.
Israel's withdrawal may make its relationship with international organisations worse, which could affect how other countries view Israel's human rights actions. It also raises questions about how the UNHRC operates, especially in addressing issues involving Israel.
This move might change how Israel interacts with other UN groups in the future, affecting discussions about human rights in the area on a global level.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.