William Schabas embarked on his first day as one of the investigators in the United Nations' Gaza probe and immediately faced allegations of being "anti-Israel."

The U.N. appointed Schabas, 63, as the leader of a commission set to investigate possible war crimes committed during the Gaza violence. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted to the appointment by accusing Schabas of being anti-Israel, The Daily Beast detailed.

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In an interview, Schabas denied the accusation against him and explained that it was difficult not to form any opinion in light of Israel's recent actions in the Gaza Strip. He said calling him anti-Israel was a "slur" and was unfair.

In the past, Schabas released a few harsh statements about Israel, but he insisted he is not against the country itself and its leader. He explained that fully avoiding personal bias in the issue is almost impossible.

The U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHCR) decided to launch the independent probe into the Gaza violence after pressure from the international community. The commission's deadline for submitting its findings is set on March 2015.

British-Lebanese human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin and Senegalese lawyer Doudou Diene will join Schabas were also selected to join Schabas in the commission. However, Alamuddin turned down the position on Monday.

Schabas received his harshest criticism from U.N. Watch chief Hillel Neuer, who said he should step down from his position. In a statement, Neuer recounted that Schabas repeatedly called for the indictment of Israeli leaders and this would result in a biased investigation.

The commission's findings could involve the International Criminal Court in the case. Palestine, on the other hand, vowed to cooperate with the ICC.

While Schabas is still at the starting phase of his work in the independent probe, he to be very objective in carrying out this task no matter how difficult it would be.

Meanwhile, UNHRC President Baudelaire Ndog Ella said on Tuesday that they have not yet decided on Alamuddin's replacement.

TagsWilliam Schabas, Gaza, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, United Nations Human Rights Council, UNHRC, UN, Doudou Diene, Amal Alamuddin, Hillel Neuer, International Criminal Court, Palestine, Baudelaire Ndog Ella