On September 18, the United Nations Basic Meeting (UNGA) adopted a decision calling for Israel to terminate its unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory inside one yr. The vote, which concluded with 124 in favour, 12 in opposition to, and 43 abstained, has been interpreted by some as a major triumph for Palestinian advocacy.
But, the truth that 54 international locations (excluding Israel) – constituting about 28 p.c of all member states – didn’t again the decision can’t be ignored. It not solely signifies a failure of ethical braveness but additionally underscores a pervasive hypocrisy that continues to form international governance. Actually, it displays persevering with efforts to erode the worldwide regime with a view to guarantee impunity for Israel.
The decision in query demanded that Israel “brings to an finish directly its illegal presence within the Occupied Palestinian Territory”. It reiterated the findings of the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice (ICJ), which dominated in July that Israel’s occupation was unlawful, that its settlements on occupied Palestinian land are additionally unlawful and have to be dismantled, and that it must pay reparations for damages incurred by the Palestinians.
Worldwide legislation is kind of clear on the query of occupation: it’s a legal act. A consensus amongst worldwide students underscores that an occupier can not invoke the best of self-defence in opposition to the individuals it occupies – an argument Israel has employed to justify its nefarious genocidal actions.
Within the context of this ruling by the World Courtroom, voting in opposition to and abstaining from voting on the UNGA decision can’t be dismissed as mere political neutrality. By selecting to not assist a decision that re-affirms the illegality of the Israeli occupation, these nations implicitly endorse Israel’s actions and contribute to the perpetuation of a established order marked by brutal oppression and struggling. In addition they overtly disregard and thus assault the provisions of worldwide legislation.
You will need to do not forget that this vote got here amid a seamless Israeli aggression in opposition to Gaza and the West Financial institution, through which almost 42,000 Palestinians – the vast majority of them ladies and youngsters – have been killed and greater than 100,000 injured. In January, the ICJ issued a preliminary ruling that Isreal is “plausibly” violating the Genocide Conference with its actions in Gaza. This genocidal violence is a direct consequence of the decades-long unlawful Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.
The October 7 assault final yr by Hamas can’t be seen in isolation. It’s rooted in many years of brutal occupation that has left Palestinians trapped in what many describe because the world’s largest open-air jail, the place systemic oppression, displacement, and violence have outlined thousands and thousands of Palestinian lives. Understanding this context is important to addressing the underlying points and transferring towards a simply and lasting decision that honours the dignity and humanity of all affected.
One of many 12 international locations that voted in opposition to the decision – the USA – has been a long-time supporter of the Israeli occupation, sending billions price of weapons to its navy earlier than and after October. For its position in arming Israel, the US has been repeatedly accused of complicity in Israeli conflict crimes and crimes in opposition to humanity.
Surprisingly, the US consultant to the UN entered a “no” vote even though Choose Sarah Cleveland, who represents the US on the ICJ, voted in favour of all of the courtroom’s opinions within the July ruling.
What makes the US place much more problematic is that it has had the precise reverse stance on occupations elsewhere. In 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and occupied components of its territory, Washington was on the forefront of worldwide condemnation, sending billions in navy and monetary help to the Ukrainian military. This has set a troubling double normal that different international locations allied with the US have additionally adopted.
The UK, for instance, expressed “appreciable considerations” concerning the January ICJ ruling and rejected genocide allegations in opposition to Israel. On September 18, it selected to abstain. Regardless of its personal authorized advisers warning that British weapons might be used for human rights violations in Gaza, the British authorities has continued its arms shipments to the Israeli military, suspending simply 30 out of 350 arms export licences.
Like Washington, London has additionally prolonged vital navy assist for Ukraine in its combat in opposition to Russian occupation and wholeheartedly backed investigations into conflict crimes dedicated by Russian forces.
Germany, which additionally abstained on September 18, is one other instance of a rustic with a troubling place. As a key provider of arms to Israel, Germany faces critical allegations of facilitating the fee of genocide, complicating its ethical standing and elevating questions on its dedication to human rights. Its authorities has introduced plans to intervene in the principle listening to of the genocide case in opposition to Israel on the ICJ, categorically rejecting the accusations of genocide with out substantial justification.
Whereas attempting to dam authorized proceedings in opposition to Israel, Germany has accelerated investigations launched by its personal justice system into conflict crimes dedicated in Ukraine.
Varied different international locations in Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific – principally US and NATO allies – have additionally both voted in opposition to the UNGA decision or abstained, placing geopolitical issues above worldwide legislation and ethics.
The hypocrisy inherent in these geopolitical alliances raises vital questions concerning the integrity of the worldwide authorized framework. Why is it that violations dedicated by Israel, an ally of highly effective Western nations, are met with silence or inadequate condemnation and others are usually not? This inconsistency not solely deepens the divisions between the West and the International South, but additionally damages the legitimacy of worldwide legislation and its capacity to stop atrocities.
The extra Israel is shielded by these international locations, the extra it flouts worldwide legislation with out worry of penalties and the extra brutal and lethal its abuses grow to be. And its violations don’t solely have an effect on the Palestinian inhabitants. This sample of impunity undermines the foundational rules of justice and accountability and encourages others to have interaction in such crimes.
The abstention of 43 international locations and the opposition from 11 others concerning the UNGA decision ship a transparent message to the world: there are “no guidelines”. This alarming development means that nations with highly effective militaries can act unilaterally, disregarding worldwide legislation with out consequence. If we fail to halt this erosion of the authorized regime, we danger descending right into a world ruled by the “legislation of the jungle”.
Such a breakdown of worldwide legislation would have catastrophic implications for human civilisation. It will foster a local weather the place the highly effective can trample on the rights of the weak, perpetuating cycles of violence and oppression. The hypocrisy evident within the international response to the Palestinian plight exemplifies this harmful disregard for justice and accountability. As these 54 international locations proceed to show a blind eye to grave violations, the foundations of worldwide order are threatened.
To revive religion in worldwide legislation, international locations should prioritise human rights over strategic pursuits. This requires a unified entrance from the worldwide group. Nations should maintain one another accountable for his or her actions and communicate out in opposition to violations, no matter political affiliations or alliances. A real dedication to justice necessitates that the rules of worldwide legislation be utilized persistently and with out bias.
Solely by decisive motion can the beliefs of worldwide legislation be upheld and the world saved from a darkish, lawless future.
The views expressed on this article are the creator’s personal and don’t essentially replicate Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.
