The director of the New York office of the UN high commissioner for human rights has resigned from his post, condemning what he calls the genocide of Palestinian civilians in Gaza under Israeli bombardment. Craig Mokhiber, in a letter addressed to the UN high commissioner in Geneva, expressed his frustration over the UN's failure to prevent the ongoing assault and accused the US, UK, and much of Europe of being complicit in the horrific situation.

In his resignation letter dated 28 October, Mokhiber strongly denounced the "wholesale slaughter of the Palestinian people," alleging that it was rooted in an ethno-nationalist colonial settler ideology and was a continuation of decades of systematic persecution and purging. He unequivocally stated that this qualifies as textbook genocide. Furthermore, Mokhiber called out the US, UK, and Europe for failing to meet their treaty obligations under the Geneva Conventions, while also providing military support and diplomatic cover for Israel's actions.

Notably, Mokhiber's letter did not mention the 7 October attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which resulted in the loss of over 1,400 lives and the taking of 240 hostages. However, it did include a controversial demand for the effective end of the state of Israel.

He called for the establishment of a single, democratic secular state in all of historic Palestine, advocating for equal rights for Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Mokhiber argued for the dismantling of what he described as a deeply racist, settler-colonial project and an end to apartheid across the land.

While serving as the director of the New York office of the high commissioner for human rights, Mokhiber faced occasional criticism from pro-Israeli groups for his social media posts. He supported the boycott, divest, sanctions (BDS) movement and accused Israel of apartheid, allegations that were reiterated in his resignation letter.

A spokesperson for the UN in New York confirmed Mokhiber's retirement, stating that he had informed the UN of his upcoming retirement in March 2023, and that his views expressed in the letter were personal. The spokesperson added that the UN's position on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel is reflected in their reports and public statements.

Reactions to Mokhiber's resignation varied. Louis Charbonneau, the UN director at Human Rights Watch, commended him for highlighting the double standards within the UN's stance on Israel and Palestine. Charbonneau emphasized the need for the UN to course-correct quickly. On the other hand, Anne Bayefsky, the director of Touro College's Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, accused Mokhiber of "overt antisemitism" on social media, alleging that he used a UN letterhead to advocate for "wiping Israel off the map."