An academic says Israel is acting “above the law” because it enjoys the support of the United States, adding that Washington’s behavior has emboldened the Israelis to kill more Palestinians.

“It is no secret that the US government is the most supportive government of Israeli atrocities and the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people. The US has vetoed tens of United Nations Security Council resolutions to put an end to the Israeli occupation, and also to condemn Israeli settlement expansion in the Palestinian territories and lately to stop Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people,” Mukhaimer Abu Saada, a lecturer at Al-Azhar University, told Press TV in an interview on Saturday.

“I believe it is about time that the UN community take responsibility, take action against those Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people and against the non-violent resistance in Gaza,” he added.

For the second consecutive week, the US blocked a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) statement calling for an investigation into Israel’s recent killing of the Gazans and supporting the Palestinians’ right to demonstrate peacefully.

On March 30, Palestinians marched to the fence separating Gaza from the occupied territories at the start of a six-week protest, dubbed “The Great March of Return,” demanding the right to return for those driven out of their homeland.

The demonstrations turned violent after Israeli forces used tear gas and live fire against the protesters.

On Friday, similar anti-occupation mass rallies hit Gaza, with Palestinians burning tires and throwing stones at Israeli soldiers who responded with firing live ammunition and tear gas.

Over 30 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military over the past week.