Gaza / OHCHR - Top New York Human Rights Official Resigns in Protest Over UN’s Handling of Israel Hamas War : The Messenger News / Niloufar Pourzand

After three decades in the position, Craig Mokhiber has reportedly resigned as the director of the New York Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights over the organization's response to Israel's war against Hamas.

Click here for Craig Mokhiber's full statement

"This will be my last official communication to you as director," read Mokhiber's resignation letter. The Messenger called Mokhiber's office, but had not gotten a response by press time.


Citing the past genocides of the Tutsis, Muslims in Bosnia, the Yazidi, and the Rohingya people, Mokhiber wrote that the office "failed in our duty to meet the imperatives of prevention of mass atrocities, of protection of the vulnerable, and of accountability for perpetrators."

Mokhiber adds: "We are failing again."

"The current wholesale slaughter of the Palestinian people, rooted in an ethno-nationalist settler colonial ideology, in continuation of decades of their systematic persecution and purging, based entirely upon their status as Arabs, and coupled with explicit statements of intent by leaders in the Israeli government and military, leaves no room for doubt or debate," he added.

"In Gaza, civilian homes, schools, churches, mosques, and medical institutions are wantonly attacked as thousands of civilians are massacred," he continues.

The letter offers up a list of his own possible approaches to quell the violence, including disarming Israel and blocking western interests, including America, from mediating between the two sides.

"This will take years to achieve, and western powers will fight us every step of the way, so we must be steadfast," reads Mokhiber's letter. "In the immediate term, we must work for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the longstanding siege on Gaza, stand up against the ethnic cleansing of Gaza, Jerusalem, and the West Bank (and elsewhere), document the genocidal assault in Gaza, help to bring massive humanitarian aid and reconstruction to the Palestinians, take care of our traumatized colleagues and their families, and fight like hell for a principled approach in the UN's political offices."

Before letting the High Commissioner know he'll be leaving his office in a matter of days, Mokhiber wrote: "The UN's failure in Palestine thus far is not a reason for us to withdraw. Rather it should give us the courage to abandon the failed paradigm of the past, and fully embrace a more principled course. Let us, as OHCHR, boldly and proudly join the anti-apartheid movement that is growing all around the world, adding our logo to the banner of equality and human rights for the Palestinian people. The world is watching. We will all be accountable for where we stood at this crucial moment in history. Let us stand on the side of justice."

The Hamas-run health ministry reports more than 8,300 people have been killed since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants crossed into Israel, killing some 1,400 Israeli citizens.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls for a ceasefire earlier in the week, saying now was the time for "war" instead.