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Why Aren't Human Rights Groups Denouncing Hamas Atrocities Against Gazans?
(Ha'aretz) Dr. Yariv Mohar - Following the ceasefire in Gaza, numerous corroborated testimonies - some supported by filmed evidence - have emerged of Hamas's executions of political opponents, particularly brutal torture of civilians in broad daylight and killings or beatings of civilians who merely expressed gratitude toward the U.S. or criticized Hamas. Given these facts, I was astonished to look at the X accounts of two of the world's largest human rights organizations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and find that there has been not a single reference to these atrocities. Every day more atrocities occur, and silence confers a degree of legitimacy upon them. Initial statements about atrocities have in the past been issued far more rapidly by human rights organizations. Yet two weeks after the ceasefire there was still no comment, not even a demand that Hamas comply with international humanitarian law. As human rights activists, our message should be clear: We will not ignore any atrocity; we will not abandon Gazans now that Hamas is attacking them; we will not hesitate in voicing strong condemnation. I call on the human rights community to urgently denounce Hamas's atrocities against Gazans. The writer, Director of the Pro-Human Campaign, previously served as Deputy Director of Amnesty International's Israel Section.