UN calls for end to genocidal rhetoric by senior Israeli officials

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Monday denounced the "genocidal rhetoric" of Israeli leaders on Gaza, AFP has reported. 

Calling on the international community to prevent genocide in the "graveyard" that the Palestinian territory has become, Volker Türk, at the opening of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva said he was horrified by the outright use of genocidal rhetoric and the shameful dehumanisation of Palestinians by senior Israeli officials. 

He called for "action now to end the carnage," saying the international community is "failing in its duty."

"We are failing the people of Gaza. Where are the decisive measures to prevent genocide? Why aren't countries doing more to prevent atrocities?" he continued.

"The region is crying out for peace. Gaza is a cemetery," he said. 

"Israel's massacres of Palestinian civilians in Gaza; the indescribable suffering and massive destruction it inflicts; the obstruction of adequate life-saving aid and the resulting starvation of civilians; the assassinations of journalists, UN personnel and NGO workers, and the war crimes it commits, shock the consciences of the world," said Türk.