The U.N. Security Council on Friday held a special session on the Hamas-orchestrated march on the Israel-Gaza Strip border. The U.S. vetoed a resolution calling for an international inquiry into Friday's events.
Some 30,000 Palestinians took part in demonstrations along the Gaza border, during which rioters hurled rocks and firebombs at Israeli troops. Gaza's health authorities reported that 17 Palestinians were killed and over 1,400 were wounded.
Friday's Security Council meeting was called by Kuwait. Israeli delegates could not attend the meeting due to the Passover holiday and expressed their exasperation over the fact the council had denied a request to postpone the meeting so as to allow their participation.
A senior U.N. official warned that the situation in Gaza "might deteriorate in the coming days."
"Israel must uphold its responsibilities under international human rights and humanitarian law. Lethal force should only be used as a last resort with any resulting fatalities properly investigated by the authorities," U.N. deputy political affairs chief Taye-Brook Zerihoun said.
Kuwait's Ambassador to the U.N. Mansour al-Otaibi denounced the IDF's operations.
"There was a peaceful protest today [Friday] during which civilians became targets. Those who committed these crimes must be brought to justice.
"Israel is an occupying power and it must meet the obligations of the Geneva Convention. The Palestinians must have international protection," he said.
Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour accused Israel of "massacring civilians."
Speaking with reporters before the U.N. Security Council convened Mansour said, "This year, it was decided that the Land Day protest will be massive but peaceful," he said, adding there was "no justification" for any use of force by Israel.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for an independent and transparent investigation into Friday's events. His appeal was echoed by European Union Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini and Amnesty International.
Guterres also "appeals to those concerned to refrain from any act that could lead to further casualties and in particular any measures that could place civilians in harm's way," U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said.
"The use of live ammunition should, in particular, be part of an independent and transparent investigation," Mogherini said in a statement on Saturday. "While Israel has the right to protect its borders, the use of force must be proportionate at all times."
Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon criticized the council for holding the meeting even though it was clear no Israeli representative could attend.
"This was an ugly, underhanded move by the Palestinians meant to spread lies at the U.N.," he said. "This shameful exploitation of the holiday will not stop up from presenting the world with the truth about Hamas' violent riots that seek only to provoke security escalation in the region," he said.
U.S. diplomat Walter Miller also criticized the fact that Israel could not take part in the meeting.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of life today. We urge those involved to take steps to lower tensions and reduce the risk of new clashes. Bad actors that use protests as a cover to incite violence endanger innocent lives," Miller told the council.
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman rejected on Sunday calls for an inquiry.
"Israeli soldiers did what was necessary. I think all our soldiers deserve a medal," he told Army Radio. "As for a commission of inquiry – there won't be one," he declared.
Also over the weekend, Meretz Chairwoman Tamar Zandberg drew harsh criticism from the Right after she demanded the government name an independent commission of inquiry to investigate Friday's event.
"Given the wide-scale harm to Palestinians on the Gaza border, and given testimonies suggesting unarmed protesters were shot, Meretz urges an investigation. The footage from the scene and the difficult results mandate an independent Israeli review, including of the rules of engagement and the military and diplomatic preparations for this [the march]. Israel has an obligation to know exactly what happened as it in our interest to prevent a dangerous security escalation," she said in a video posted on social media.
Zandberg added that "we cannot allow for a trigger-happy policy to lead to the loss of innocent lives, which could lead to a regional conflagration. The safety and well-being of people on both sides of the border depend on each other and Israel is obligated to exercise restraint."
She further said that "this is the time to lift the blockade placed on Gaza and discuss humanitarian relief instead of seeing the region deteriorate into another round of violence."
Lieberman lambasted Zandberg's "hypocrisy."
"I don't understand the hypocrites who call for a commission of inquiry. They seem to be under the impression that what Hamas organized was a kind of Woodstock and that we should be handing out flowers," he tweeted.
"IDF soldiers warded off Hamas' military wing operatives with determination and professionalism, just as we expected them to do. They have my full backing. Thanks to them we celebrated the Passover Seder peacefully."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also lauded the IDF's actions, saying, "Thank you to our soldiers, who guard Israel's borders and allow the Israeli public to celebrate the holiday quietly. Israel acts with determination and resolve to defend its sovereignty and the security of its citizens."
