Rights abuses by Israel 'being ignored'

A UN human rights expert today criticised the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations for effectively punishing the Palestinian people by ignoring countless Israeli violations of human rights, international law and other standards.

John Dugard, a South African lawyer responsible for investigating alleged human rights abuses by Israel in Palestinian areas, said the United States and other international powers who make up the so-called Quartet of Mideast mediators have done nothing to rein in Israel.