Behind the Scenes: How Washington Silenced Pakistan’s Call for Israeli Accountability
Fresh insights have emerged on how the United States undermined a Pakistan-backed proposal at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which aimed to hold Israel accountable for its actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. Despite having withdrawn from the UNHRC two months earlier under President Donald Trump’s administration, the U.S. continued to exert considerable behind-the-scenes influence.
Pakistan had proposed the establishment of an Independent, International, and Impartial Mechanism (IIIM) to investigate alleged Israeli violations in Palestine. However, the initiative struggled to gain momentum, largely due to pressure from Washington. A letter dated March 31, signed by two senior members of the U.S. Congress, was sent to the council’s member states, warning them of consequences if they supported what the U.S. described as a biased measure against Israel.
The letter drew a direct line between backing such initiatives and the repercussions the International Criminal Court (ICC) faced for its arrest warrant against the Israeli Prime Minister, serving as a clear deterrent. Although the U.S. was physically absent from the six-week session involving 47 member states, its diplomatic pressure was enough to hinder the proposal’s progress, highlighting America’s continued commitment to shielding its ally Israel at international forums.
