HRW Israel-Palestine director resigns, accuses watchdog of 'cooking the books'

Omar Shakir, the former Israel-Palestine director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), has resigned from his position, citing a loss of faith in the organization. In his resignation letter, Shakir accused HRW's senior leadership of "cooking the books" by selectively ignoring evidence that he claims demonstrates Israel's commission of "crimes against humanity" related to the denial of Palestinian refugees' right of return. His resignation was prompted by the organization's decision to block a report that included these allegations. Shakir has been associated with HRW for over ten years, and his departure highlights internal conflicts regarding the organization's stance on Israel-Palestine issues. He expressed his discontent with HRW's leadership and its handling of reports concerning human rights violations in the region. The blocked report was a significant factor in his decision to leave, as he felt it undermined the organization's commitment to human rights advocacy. The resignation of Shakir raises questions about HRW's approach to reporting on the Israel-Palestine conflict and its implications for the organization's credibility. His claims suggest a broader concern within human rights circles regarding the treatment of Palestinian issues and the accountability of state actions. The situation reflects ongoing tensions in the discourse surrounding human rights in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.