The State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices highlighted Israel’s precautions to minimize civilian casualties during conflicts with Palestinians, placing it on the first page, usually reserved for the most egregious human rights abusers. Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed concerns over human rights violations in the war between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing the need for Israel to follow international law and protect civilians. The report also raised concerns about humanitarian aid access in Gaza, civilian displacement, and journalist deaths. Israel was mentioned before addressing human rights abuses in Iran or the Taliban’s mistreatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Israel was featured in the report after Russia’s civilian violence in Ukraine and Sudanese military atrocities but before addressing Hamas terrorists and their attacks on Israel, including gender-based and sexual violence. Blinken condemned Hamas for using civilians and civilian infrastructure as human shields and reiterated concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza as a result of Israel’s measures to prevent future attacks. The report does not rank countries in comparison to one another but rather discusses human rights issues globally without prioritizing one country over another.
The Democratic and Republican parties united in condemning anti-Semitism at Columbia University in response to ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Blinken emphasized that the U.S. is urgently raising concerns about civilian deaths in Gaza and the need for Israel to protect civilians and follow international law. The report highlighted Israel’s precautions to minimize civilian casualties during conflicts and raised concerns about humanitarian aid access in Gaza, civilian displacement, and journalist deaths. Blinken also condemned Hamas for using civilians and civilian infrastructure as human shields.
Recent attacks by Hamas on Israel have raised troubling human rights concerns, with the U.S. condemning the terrorist group’s actions, including gender-based and sexual violence. Israel’s proactive measures to protect civilians and prevent future attacks were acknowledged, as well as concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza during the conflict. The report does not rank countries but instead highlights human rights issues globally, addressing concerns about civilian casualties, humanitarian aid access, and journalist deaths in various regions. Israeli government representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report.
