End Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestine, Quakers urge world leaders
Quakers and others are urging world leaders to uphold the UN General Assembly's resolution that Israel must end its unlawful presence in Palestine.
Six months after the resolution, an open letter from 30 organisations, calls upon global leaders to “uphold their legal and moral responsibilities".
The UNGA overwhelmingly voted in favour of the resolution following an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling last July, that declared Israel's occupation of Palestine unlawful, and that Israel must end its presence in occupied Palestine within 12 months.
[QUOTE-START]
We urge governments to uphold international law
- Paul Parker
[QUOTE-END]
Organisations including Oxfam and Medical Aid for Palestinians also call for an immediate halt to arms sales to Israel and an end to trade with illegal Israeli settlements.
In its advisory ruling, the ICJ affirmed that Israel's occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza is illegal under international law.
All signatory states are legally bound to recognise Israel's presence in Palestine as unlawful, not aid Israel in maintaining it, and cooperate to end this situation.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank has reached catastrophic levels, with nearly 90 per cent of Gazans displaced and medical facilities decimated.
Palestinians in the West Bank are suffering severe restrictions on movement and increasing levels of violence from extremist settlers.
The letter highlights Israel's breaches of international humanitarian law, including the destruction of Palestinian homes and the systematic expansion of settlements.
Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said: “Six months on from the ICJ ruling, we believe in the urgent need for accountability and decisive action.
“We urge governments to uphold international law, enforce the ICJ's findings, and work towards a lasting and just peace in the region."