By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) - The director of the UN human rights office in New York resigned over the organization’s “failure” to stop what he said is a “text-book case of genocide” unfolding in Gaza.
Craig Mokhiber sent a four-page letter of resignation to the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. The letter dated Oct. 28 surfaced late Tuesday.
"Once again, we are seeing genocide unfolding before our eyes, and the organization that we serve appears powerless to stop it," Mokhiber said.
"This is a text-book case of genocide. The European, ethno-nationalist, settler colonial project in Palestine has entered its final phase, toward the expedited destruction of the last remnants of indigenous Palestinian life in Palestine," he said.
Accusing the US, UK and much of Europe of being "wholly complicit in the horrific assault" Mokhiber said: "Not only are these governments refusing to meet their treaty obligations 'to ensure respect' for the Geneva Conventions, but they are in fact actively arming the assault, providing economic and intelligence support, and giving political and diplomatic cover for Israel’s atrocities."
Since last weekend, the Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.
More than 10,300 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 8,796 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected growing calls for a cease-fire, saying it would be a "surrender" to Hamas and "that will not happen."