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Richard Falk |
(Scroll down for video) A U.N. official has caused a firestorm among Israel-friendly nations after calling on the world to punish all companies doing business with Israel.
Canada has said that the U.N. rights expert should resign for his call for a boycott of companies involved in the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The demand by Richard Falk, the U.N. special investigator on human rights in the occupied territories, also provoked a sharp response from Israel and the United States, after saying that Israel poisoned the environment for peace.
Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said Thursday that the comments were offensive and unhelpful.
“Falk not only does a disservice to the United Nations, but also for the Palestinian people," he added.
"Canada calls on Mr. Falk to withdraw the biased and shameful report and resign from the United Nations."
Earlier this week Falk urged the U.N. General Assembly and the civil society boycott companies that help build and maintain Israeli settlements.
He pointed to Caterpillar, Hewlett Packard and Motorola of the United States, Veolia Environment of France, Britain’s G4S, Belgian Dexia Group, Volvo, Swedish Assa Abloy, Ahava, Elbit Systems, Israel’s Mehadrin, Riwal Holding Group of Countries and Cemex of Mexico.
The international community considers these illegal settlements as the biggest threat to the peace process. This was the last reason given by the Palestinians more than two years ago for ending the peace talks.
The U.S. also attacked Falk's statement. U.S. envoy to the U.N, Susan Rice, described it as irresponsible and unacceptable.
"His recommendations do nothing to promote a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and actually poison the environment for peace," the U.S. ambassador said, adding that his work "only damages the credibility of the United Nations."
Karean Peretz, spokeswoman for Israel's mission to the United Nations, dismissed Falk’s "highly biased report on the basis of a one-sided mandate, which is completely removed from reality."
Falk is appointed by the Human Rights Council of the U.N., not by the U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon.
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