A/HRC/38/15 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-ninth session from 15 to 26 January 2018. The review of Israel was held at the 13th meeting, on 23 January 2018. The delegation of Israel was headed by the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Aviva Raz Shechter, and the Director General of the Ministry of Justice, Emi Palmor. At its 18th meeting, held on 25 January 2018, the Working Group adopted the report on Israel. 2. On 10 January 2018, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Israel: Mongolia, Rwanda and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Israel: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/29/ISR/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/29/ISR/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/29/ISR/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Brazil, Czechia, Germany, Liechtenstein, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom was transmitted to Israel through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. In her opening remarks, the Ambassador outlined the commitment of Israel to human rights, which were part of the core values of Israel, and were enshrined in the country’s Declaration of Independence and protected under its Basic Laws. She noted the country’s ongoing dialogue with civil society in the framework of several joint projects. She also noted the ratification of the core human rights conventions and other human rights instruments. 6. The Ambassador criticized the ongoing discrimination against Israel in the Human Rights Council, highlighting the “infamous item 7” and the disproportionate number of biased and political resolutions adopted against Israel. Nonetheless, she noted that Israel continued to engage with the universal periodic review and other human rights mechanisms in the hopes of reform. 7. The Ambassador noted efforts to host rapporteurs on an annual basis, underlining the recent visit of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences. 8. Citing the many challenges Israel faced, including terrorism, regional instability and incitement, the Ambassador underscored the efforts of Israel to defend its citizens and uphold their fundamental human rights. She stressed the commitment of Israel to the reconstruction of Gaza, despite the Hamas regime’s ongoing terrorist activities, including holding Israeli citizens and the remains of two soldiers. She also noted the challenges Israel faced with the global migration crisis, as well as its humanitarian efforts worldwide, and the ongoing treatment of wounded Syrians. 2