US lawmakers seek to stop UN probe into Israeli crimes committed during Gaza conflict

More than 40 members of the Unted States Congress have sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, calling on the Biden administration to lead an effort to end a United Nations commission looking into alleged Israeli war crimes against Palestinians.
 

The bipartisan group of 42 House members, led by pro-Israel Democrat Josh Gottheimer and Republican Vicky Hartzler, said the investigation looking into possible Israeli war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories reflects a "continued broader bias against Israel", and said the UN should focus its attention elsewhere.

"Please know that while Congress may be divided on the Administration's decision to rejoin the [UN Human Rights Council], we stand united in urging you to act upon the Administration's commitment to defend Israel from discriminatory treatment at the Human Rights Council and throughout the UN system," the letter said.

Last year, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) agreed to launch an investigation with a broad mandate to probe all alleged violations Israel had committed against Palestinians following its May offensive on Gaza, which killed at least 248 Palestinians including more than 60 children.