UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer shot back at countries accusing Israel of apartheid and violence against Palestinians, asking them where the Jewish populations in their countries have gone.
During a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, several Middle Eastern countries took turns bashing Israel, saying that it has imposed apartheid and violence against Palestinians. A Palestinian representative was joined by Qatar, Sudan, Syria, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in criticizing Israel.
Neuer was then recognized to respond to the accusations from the representatives, as well as those from a UN report.
"Everything we just heard, from the world's worst abusers of human rights, of women's rights, of freedom of religion, of the press, of assembly, of speech, is absolutely false and indeed Orwellian," Neuer said.
As Neuer went to defend Israel, the Palestinian representative attempted to make a point of order as he tried to silence Neuer's rebuttal. Egypt and Pakistan joined the protest by the Palestinians. Neuer was allowed to continue.
"Israel's 1.5 million Arabs, whatever challenges they face, enjoy full rights to vote and to be elected in the Knesset, they work as doctors and lawyers, they serve on the Supreme Court," Neuer said.
Neuer then went directly after Israel's accusers.
"How many Jews live in your countries? How many Jews lived in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco?" Neuer pointed out. "Once upon a time, the Middle East was full of Jews."
Neuer went through a list of those countries asking, "Where are your Jews?" after stating how many Jews used to live there.
"Where is the apartheid, Mr. President?" Neuer asked.
"Why are we meeting today on an agenda item singling out only one state, the Jewish state, for targeting? Where is the apartheid, Mr. President?" Neuer said.
For a substantial amount of time following Neuer's remarks, the council was silent.