The Bible Museum

"The United States on Friday renewed criticism of the U.N. Human Rights Council, arguing it had shown a misplaced focus on Israel while giving a free pass to countries with poor human rights records.

The U.S. opposition failed to sway the vast majority of the U.N. General Assembly's human rights committee, which, as expected, approved the draft resolution on the body's working rules 145-7 through a rare vote forced by Israel. The committee generally approves measures by consensus.

The vote came days after Israel's U.N. ambassador, Dan Gillerman, issued a scathing rebuke of the council, saying last week that some in the United Nations believed that "they were giving birth to a new baby."

Instead, "they have in fact given birth to a horrendous monster," said Gillerman. He said he realized the resolution would pass, but held out hope that "at least another few countries — brave and moral countries — will stand by us."

The new Human Rights Council replaced the discredited Human Rights Commission last year.

The U.S. listed several factors motivating its opposition to the draft, first among them was the "council's relentless focus during the year on a single country — Israel," said U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad.

... Joining Israel and the United States in opposing the draft were five other countries, including Australia, Canada and the Pacific island nation of Palau....”