Statement by PM Netanyahu
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued the following statement today
(Monday, 22 June 2015):

"Israel is a democracy committed to the rule of law. Time and again it is
forced to defend itself against Palestinian terrorists who commit a double
war crime: They deliberately target civilians while deliberately hiding
behind Palestinian civilians. The Palestinians civilians they use as human
shields include children, and they deliberately target our civilians while
deliberately putting their civilians in harm’s way.

In defending itself against such attacks, Israel's military acted, and acts,
according to the highest international standards.

The report in hand was commissioned by a notoriously biased institution; it
was given an obviously biased mandate; it was initially headed by a grossly
biased chairperson who received money from the Palestinians and was forced
to resign.

The United Nations Human Rights Council has a singular obsession with
Israel. It has passed more resolutions against Israel than against Syria,
North Korea and Iran combined. In fact, it has passed more resolutions
against Israel that against all the countries of the world combined.

So, Israel treats this report as flawed and biased, and it urges all
fair-minded observers to do the same. Such fair-minded observers recently
investigated Israel’s conduct in the Gaza campaign. They include senior
generals from the United States and NATO countries. They found that not only
did Israel uphold the highest standards of international law, in the laws of
armed conflict, they said that Israel exceeded the highest standards.

Israel will continue to uphold its commitment to the laws of armed conflict
despite the brutal tactics of its enemies. and it will continue to
investigate any allegations of wrongdoing in accordance with highest
international standards.

Thank you."