News|Israel-Palestine conflictIsrael-Palestine head of Human Right Watch quits over ‘blocked’ reportOmar Shakir, who has worked for the rights group for more than 10 years, says he has lost faith in the organisation.
The Israel-Palestine director of Human Rights Watch (HRW) has resigned following the organization's decision to block the publication of a report. The report accused Israel of committing "crimes against humanity" related to the denial of Palestinian…
The Israel-Palestine director of Human Rights Watch (HRW) has resigned following the organization's decision to block the publication of a report. The report accused Israel of committing "crimes against humanity" related to the denial of Palestinian refugees' right of return.
Omar Shakir, who has been with HRW for over a decade, stated that the report aimed to connect the erasure of camps in Gaza with the emptying of camps in the West Bank, highlighting actions by the Israeli government against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The report underscored the need to learn from historical events related to Palestinian displacement.
The term "Nakba," meaning "catastrophe," refers to the displacement of approximately 750,000 Palestinians in 1948. The report documented how the denial of return constitutes a crime against humanity. Shakir's resignation letter mentioned concerns from HRW's leadership about possible misinterpretations of the report's findings.
HRW stated that the report's publication was paused due to the need for further analysis to meet the organization's high standards. The review process identified areas in the research requiring strengthening.
The Israel-Palestine director of Human Rights Watch (HRW) has resigned following the organization's decision to block the publication of a report.
In response to the situation, HRW acknowledged the resignations of two staff members involved in the Israel-Palestine research. The organization emphasized the complex nature of the issues addressed in the report.
Shakir has previously faced criticism from various parties during his tenure at HRW. He maintained that the organization's work in Israel and Palestine adhered to the same standards as in other countries. Throughout his time at HRW, Shakir investigated rights abuses in the region, documenting evidence of apartheid and persecution.
In 2019, the Israeli government deported Shakir due to his advocacy work. A report published by HRW in late 2024 accused Israeli authorities of actions in Gaza that constituted crimes against humanity and acts of genocide, citing deprivation of access to essential resources like water.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
