John Dugard, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, stated yesterday that Israel is to blame for violating "the most fundamental norms" stipulated in the international human rights law, ever since it launched the military incursions in the Gaza Strip, Reuters informs.

"It is clear that Israel is in violation of the most fundamental norms of humanitarian law and human rights law", he added when formally addressing the United Nations Human Rights Council's special session.

Dugard added that Israel's decision to basically invade the Palestinian territories after Israeli soldier Cpl Gilad Shalit was abducted by Hamas armed factions, can be labeled as "a disproportionate use of force against civilians".

The newly established Human Rights Council held this special meeting regarding the adoption of a certain approach on the current international political conduct of Israel and whether or not a formal demand for its halting of the military assault in Gaza should be endorsed, following the insisting request made by Arab and Muslim states.

Prior to this event, The Organization of the Islamic Conference, a 57-member international forum, elaborated on a draft resolution that basically accuses Israel of performing arbitrary arrests on Palestinian politicians and unjustified destroying of bridges, water and electrical plants. The resolution also asked Dugard to conduct an emergency mission in the area and make formal reports of the exact nature of the "Israeli human rights violations".

On the other hand, the US ambassador of the United Nations in Geneva, Warren Tichenor, issued an official statement, expressing his profound regret over the fact that this impending resolution is not balanced enough since it does not present the harm done by the Palestinian side as well, "the failure of the Palestinian Authority government to denounce terror".

This resolution will be discussed again today and may be adopted by a simple majority of the forum.