UN Reappoints Rights Chief Volker Türk Despite Israel's Opposition

UN member states voted 144-10, with 13 abstentions, to give Volker Türk a second four-year term as high commissioner for human rights. The assembly rejected a U.S. request to postpone the vote and a Russian proposal limiting the extension to year-end. Israel's Foreign Ministry opposed the reappointment after years of what it described as bias against Israel, arguing that accountability was needed rather than a rules rewrite. Secretary-General António Guterres' spokesman said the nomination followed the 1993 resolution governing the office. Türk's existing term was due to expire on October 11.