Israel at the weekend harshly criticized the United Nations for issuing yet another statement equating Palestinian terrorism with Israeli anti-terror military action, and for “turning a blind eye” to the Palestinian Authority’s policies that perpetuate the violence.

“Rather than doubling down on failed approaches of violence and coercion that have singularly failed in the past, I urge everyone involved to step out of the illogic of escalation that has only ended in dead bodies, shattered lives and utter despair,” said Volker Türk, the UN human rights commissioner, in a statement. “I fear that recent measures being taken by the Government of Israel are only fueling further violations and abuses of human-rights law and violations of international humanitarian law.”

The remark played right into the hands of Palestinian officials who failed to condemn the synagogue massacre in Jerusalem, arguing that it was a “natural response” to “Israeli crimes,” such as the recent anti-terror raid in Jenin that left nine Palestinians, all but one of them armed terrorists, dead.

Meirav Eilon Shahar, Israel’s permanent representative to the UN and international organizations in Geneva, issued the following response:

“The press release [containing Türk’s remarks] does not even have the decency to describe the attacks last week for what they were, acts of Palestinian terrorism targeting the Jewish people. It does not even have the courage to condemn the death of innocent worshipers.

“Its prejudice towards Israel means it chooses to turn a blind eye to the daily incitement of children by the Palestinian Authority and their support for terrorism. This must end now.”