Overview
- Omar Shakir resigned, saying leadership blocked a draft that concluded Israel’s denial of Palestinian refugees’ return amounts to crimes against humanity.
- Human Rights Watch confirmed two resignations after it paused the draft and said its research and factual basis must be strengthened to meet internal standards.
- Shakir said the report had cleared internal review and was scheduled for release on December 4, 2025.
- According to Shakir’s resignation letter, Executive Director Philippe Bolopion expressed concern the findings could be misread as a call to erase Israel’s Jewish character.
- HRW said the review remains underway with no publication date set, noting the issues are complex and consequential.