Bahrain Mirror: Bahrain has refrained from opposing a UN Human Rights Council resolution calling for an arms embargo against Israel and holding it accountable over human rights situation, the Jerusalem Post newspaper reported.

The council approved the resolution, which the newspaper said it included some of the harshest language against Israel. "In an unusual move, Bahrain, which typically approves texts bashing Israel at the United Nations, was absent for the vote. It is the first time that this has occurred," the newspaper stated.

Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad Al-Maliki said that the UNHRC adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice.

The resolution was adopted by a vote of 32 in favor, 6 against and 8 abstentions. Among the 32 countries that approved the text were five European ones (Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland) in addition to Russia, China and others. Meanwhile, the six countries that opposed the resolution were: Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Malawi and Togo.

Al-Maliki thanked all states which voted in favor of the resolution for their consistency with the basic principles of international law relative to the protection of human rights and fulfilling their duty to pave the way for prosecuting those responsible for Israel's war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Palestinian people and securing justice for the victims and their families.

He described all states that voted against the resolution as being aligned with rogue and outlaw states, condoning crimes, obstructing justice and being on the wrong side of history.   

Al-Maliki urged all states to encourage compliance with international law as well as adhere and ensure adherence to international humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, under Article 1 common to the Geneva Conventions, including imposing sanctions on Israeli colonialism.

Arabic Version