United Nations Human Rights Council, 52nd Regular Session, General Debate under Agenda Item 7: Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories
Israel’s war crimes and other unlawful acts must end.
The statement reads as follows:
“Mr President,
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) calls for an immediate end to the Israeli authorities’ unlawful acts, including those amounting to war crimes, such as attacks against civilians; collective punishment; and forcible transfer and deportation of Palestinians.
Across the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), Israel continues to make possible and foment violence by Israeli settlers, including attacks on Palestinians, their homes and private property. Moreover, Israel keeps imposing collective punishments – such as punitive home and property demolitions; or extensive movement restrictions applied to entire areas or against communities – and resorting to arbitrary detention and forcible transfer and deportation of Palestinians from the OPT.
The ICJ draws this Council’s attention to the fact that attacks against civilians, collective punishments and forcible transfer and deportation of protected persons from occupied territory are war crimes that must be stopped, investigated and prosecuted, not condoned and supported at the highest levels of the Israeli government.
In light of Israel’s laws, policies and practice of racial segregation, persecution and apartheid against the indigenous Palestinian population, and Israel’s systematic failure to stop committing and to ensure accountability for crimes under international law, the ICJ urges this Council to take urgent and effective measures to address and respond to the crimes under international law committed against the Palestinian people.
Thank you.”
Statement delivered by: Collin Christner