A United Nations commission of inquiry is set to present a report on Tuesday accusing Israel of genocide. This report comes just days before all three commission members are scheduled to resign. Critics argue that instead of appointing new members, the UN should disband the commission, which they claim is biased in favor of Hamas and redundant given existing UN mechanisms.

The commission was established following the May 2021 conflict between Hamas and Israel, initiated by Arab and Islamic states during a special session of the UN Human Rights Council. The inquiry was tasked with examining the "root causes" of the conflict, focusing on allegations of systematic discrimination by Israel. Unlike typical inquiries that last one year, this investigation has no end date, raising concerns about its perpetual nature.

The commission's bias has been highlighted by the backgrounds of its members. Navi Pillay, the chair, has previously advocated for sanctions against Israel. Miloon Kothari, another member, has questioned Israel's right to UN membership and made controversial remarks about a "Jewish lobby" influencing social media. Chris Sidoti, the third member, has downplayed antisemitism, suggesting that accusations of it are overused. Despite condemnation from several countries, Pillay supported Kothari, allowing him to remain on the commission.

The commission operates with an annual budget exceeding $4 million and a staff of 18, producing reports that accuse Israel of war crimes and collaborating with the International Criminal Court in The Hague. As the members prepare to step down, the UN plans to appoint their replacements without public input or transparency. The president of the 47-nation Human Rights Council will announce the new appointments without allowing member states or the public to voice objections.

Critics, including some EU countries, argue that the inquiry is unnecessary, especially given the lack of UN mandates investigating human rights violations in countries like China, Cuba, Turkey, and Zimbabwe. The UN has long had mechanisms targeting Israel, including the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices, which has been producing reports since 1968. This committee, composed of Malaysia, Senegal, and Sri Lanka, conducts field missions and provides legal analysis on Israel's alleged violations. Its budget remains undisclosed. Additionally, the 25-nation Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People operates out of New York, further complicating the UN's approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.