Norway voted in favour of UN resolution on an international investigation of Israel’s boarding

The UN Human Rights Council decided today to establish an independent fact-finding mission to investigate the Israeli boarding of a convoy of ships carrying humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The operation was carried out in international waters during the early hours on Monday this week and led to loss of life. On Monday a UN Security Council presidential statement was issued calling for the incident to be investigated as soon as possible.

“We are pleased that concrete steps are now being taken to establish fact-finding mission to investigate the incident and possible violations of international law. It is important that the commission works closely with the UN Security Council and the Secretary-General in this matter,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. 

“This is an extraordinary situation that requires coordinated international follow-up,” said Mr Støre.

“It is important that mission establishes the facts and examines the international law aspects of the boarding,” said the Foreign Minister.

“Therefore it is very important that the investigation is coordinated with other UN bodies and that Israel cooperates fully with the commission,” said the Foreign Minister. 

The resolution was adopted by a large majority. Only three countries voted against the resolution in the Human Rights Council. Of the nine European members of the Council, Norway and Slovenia voted in favour of the resolution, five EU countries abstained from voting, and Italia and the Netherlands voted against.