Paris, 12 March 2024. Respect for human rights is an essential element of the EU’s association agreements with partner countries. Article 2 states that „relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement“. Violation of the so-called „essential elements“ clauses allows the EU to denounce or suspend the agreements in whole or in part under Article 60 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. In the light of the deaths and suffering endured by the Palestinian people, the European Union has the duty and the means to act to prevent Israel’s crimes in Gaza and to reduce the extent of human suffering.
Archiv: (gleiches) Bürgerrecht / Verfassungsrecht (Grundrecht) / Menschenrecht / unveräußerliches Recht / civil / equal / constitutional / human / unalienable rights
From Free Speech to Free Palestine: Six Decades of Student Protest
“You’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you’ve got to make it stop,” he said. Soon the students would flood into a campus administration building.
That scene played out 60 years ago at the University of California, Berkeley. The words were directed at the university leadership, and referring to its restrictions on campus political activity. But the speech, from the student leader Mario Savio, and the sit-in that followed could have happened yesterday.
Biden Condemned for Ahistorical and ‚Politically Suicidal‘ Attack on Campus Protests
„Biden‘s claim that ‚dissent must never lead to disorder‘ defies American history, from the Boston Tea Party to the tactics that civil rights activists, Vietnam War protesters, and anti-apartheid activists used to confront injustice.“
Jewish Council: University encampments are no threat to Jews
Last week students in Australia established encampments at their universities in solidarity with Palestinians. These join the dozens of solidarity camps established across the US and elsewhere in recent weeks. Like their peers, Australian students are calling on their institutions to end relationships with weapons companies that are enabling Israeli war crimes, and urging our government to sanction Israel and cut military ties.
The Jewish Council of Australia strongly rejects the claims that these protests are a threat to Jewish students and staff.
Israel has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza in the last 200 days. In the past week, new evidence of mass unmarked civilian graves was uncovered. Palestinians in the West Bank are also suffering at the hands of the Israeli military and violent settlers. Students are right to peacefully protest these mounting crimes and should not be silenced by their institutions or by other organisations that erroneously claim these protests are antisemitic.
Amid Police Provocation, Thousands Gathered in Nazareth to Celebrate May Day
MK Cassif said to journalists, “In spite of the fascist menace and terrorization, we marched today, thousands of Jews and Arabs together, to protest against the criminal massacre in Gaza, the occupation and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, against social injustice, class exploitation and fascism, and for the release of the hostages on the basis of ‘all-for-all’ principle, for social and national equality, democracy, and just peace.”
US Won’t Sanction Israeli Military Units That Committed ‘Gross Human Rights Violations’
Blinken claimed that Tel Aviv had taken steps towards accountability and clarified the finding that five Israeli units committed “gross human rights violations” would have no impact on US aid to Israel.
“The Israeli government has presented new information regarding the status of the unit and we will engage on identifying a path to effective remediation for this unit,” Blinken wrote.
Column: The crackdown on student protesters shows exactly why we need them
After all, the division over the war in Gaza is by no means confined to students. As has happened with so many rifts in our country’s history, students have simply used their activism to become a prism reflecting the wider world. Which is why they need to be taken seriously, for all of our sakes.
If they do nothing else, the growing demonstrations are forcing us to confront who we are, what we believe and why.
What is happening in Gaza is not a war “over there.” It’s right here, right now, among our own children. And we all need to figure out where we stand.
Campus Protests: Beautiful Moments Vs. Trampling Of Speech
Going over some of the news, good and bad, coming out of the campus protests. Including what happened to Emory University‘s professor of economics Caroline Fohlin, but also a beautiful speech given by an 88-year-old activist.
How Americans felt about campus protests against the Vietnam War
There is no guarantee that history will eventually vindicate the positions of protesters. But it does seem safe to assume that the positions, not the protests, are what will be remembered.
Blinken Denies US Human Rights ‘Double Standard’ for Israel
“Do we have a double standard? The answer is no,” Blinken said in response to questions about the Biden administration’s handling of allegations of abuses by Israeli forces in Gaza, compared with those attributed to Hamas.
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Before it’s here, it’s on the Bloomberg Terminal
Netanyahu’s judicial ‘reform’ threatens to bulldoze the Declaration of Independence
(21 February 2023)
Our Declaration of Independence promises that the State of Israel “will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture…”
As of today, those foundational commitments and guarantees are under direct and tangible threat, from the very government charged with upholding them.
Declaration of Israel‘s Independence 1948
WE DECLARE that, with effect from the moment of the termination of the Mandate being tonight, the eve of Sabbath, the 6th Iyar, 5708 (15th May, 1948), until the establishment of the elected, regular authorities of the State in accordance with the Constitution which shall be adopted by the Elected Constituent Assembly not later than the 1st October 1948, the People‘s Council shall act as a Provisional Council of State, and its executive organ, the People‘s Administration, shall be the Provisional Government of the Jewish State, to be called „Israel“.
THE STATE OF ISRAEL will be open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
Philosophy for Palestine
(November 1, 2023)
To focus, as we do here, on the actions of the Israeli state and the unflagging support it receives from the US and its allies, is neither to celebrate violence, nor to equivocate on the value of innocent lives. Civilian deaths, regardless of nationality, are tragic and unacceptable. Yet to act as though the history of violence began with Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023 is to display a reckless indifference to history as well as to both Palestinian and Israeli lives. In order for violence to stop, the conditions that produce violence must stop.
The blockade of Gaza has lasted 16 years; the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza has lasted 56 years; the dispossession of Palestinians of their lands and homes across historic Palestine has lasted three-quarters of a century, since the 1948 establishment of Israel as an ethno-supremacist state. It is not without reason that observers—including both international and Israeli human rights groups—now characterize Israel’s control over the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea as a system of apartheid.
Akademischer Boykott
(06.04.2024)
Wegen ihrer Unterschrift unter eine Solidaritätserklärung mit Palästina ist die US-Philosophin Nancy Fraser eine Gastprofessur los. Die Universität zu Köln teilte am Freitag mit, alle Veranstaltungen der Albertus-Magnus-Professur 2024 abzusagen. Fraser habe im November 2023 den offenen Brief »Philosophy for Palestine« unterzeichnet, in dem »das Existenzrecht Israels als ›ethno-suprematistischer Staat‹ seit seiner Gründung 1948 faktisch in Frage gestellt« und der Terrorangriff palästinensischer Militanter vom 7. Oktober 2023 »relativiert« werde.
AP PHOTOS: Women mark International Women’s Day by taking part in efforts to combat discrimination
Women around the globe marked International Women’s Day on Friday, taking part in strikes, marches and demonstrations that underscored efforts to combat discrimination and accelerate the drive for gender parity.
The event, first celebrated in 1911, traces its roots to the early struggles for equal pay and votes for women.
Vor UN-Gericht: Palästinenser fordern Gerechtigkeit
(19.02.2024)
Zum Auftakt der Anhörung zur Rechtmässigkeit von fast 60 Jahren israelischer Besatzung der palästinensischen Gebiete beim Internationalen Gerichtshof hat der Aussenminister der Autonomiebehörde Gerechtigkeit für sein Volk gefordert.
Remarks by President Biden and His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan After a Meeting
We must make sure the horrors of the past few months since October 7th are never repeated nor accepted by any human being.
We must together, along with Arab partners and the international community, step up efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and immediately start working to create a political horizon that leads to a just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution — an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital but living side by side with Israel in peace and security. This is the only solution that will guarantee peace and security for the Palestinians and the Israelis, as well as the entire region.
Jordan’s King Abdullah: October 7 attacks cannot be accepted by any Muslim
“As I have previously stressed, we must make sure the horrors of the past few months since October 7, are never repeated, nor accepted by any human being.”
“We must together, along with Arab partners and the international community, step up efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and immediately start working to create a political horizon that leads to a just and comprehensive peace” on the pre-1967 lines, he says.
Families Of Hostages Still Captive In Gaza Approach World Court Against Hamas
Haim Rubinstein from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said the campaign group will file a case against Hamas leaders at the ICC.
„We are the families of the hostages who have gone through and are still going through this terrible hell,“ Rubinstein said in a televised briefing from Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv.
„We will file charges against Hamas members and their collaborators and ensure that they pay the heaviest price for the crimes against humanity that they continue to commit.“
War on Gaza: Former French president Hollande calls Gaza dead ‘collateral victims’
The comments were made on Wednesday during a ceremony in Paris, after a journalist asked whether there was a double standard in the reaction to killings in Israel and in Gaza and whether the latter also deserved a tribute.
In a widely circulated response, Hollande said: “It cannot be the same tribute. A life is a life and one life is equivalent to another but there are victims of terrorism and victims of war. Being a victim of terrorism means being attacked as a French person or as a defender of a way of life. A collateral victim, you are in war… it‘s not of the same nature.”
We are at a historic junction as Palestinian people, and we need to fight together, in diverse tactics, acknowledging our diverse realities and challenges – while also holding our one simple truth: We deserve life, dignity, freedom, peace and prosperity in our homeland.
NEVER AGAIN, TO ANYONE So simple, yet so difficult for some.
Palestinian artist Emily Jacir recently had a talk canceled in Berlin. She says the climate of repression in Germany is especially bad for Palestinians and allies, who face rampant harassment, smear campaigns and cancellations. „It‘s very much part of a coordinated movement.“
Minister Fajon: Slovenia one of the few EU Member States in the ICJ advisory opinion proceedings against Israel
(January 11, 2024)
Slovenia‘s position on the conflict in the Middle East is clear and has been expressed many times: “We strongly condemn the violence of both Hamas in Israel and of Israel in Gaza – civilians must not be targeted. We draw attention to the serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Gaza. Since 7 October 2023, 23 thousand Palestinians have been killed, 70% of them women and children. 1.9 million people have been displaced, representing almost 85 per cent of the total population. We also strongly condemn any intention to expel the Palestinian population from Gaza or the West Bank and to reduce the size of the Palestinian territory. Slovenia has consistently called for additional sanctions against Hamas and violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank, as well as for the establishment of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian access and the early start of a two-state solution peace process, including international recognition of the State of Palestine, with the ultimate goal of peaceful and secure coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians,” added Minister Fajon.
Thanks to Gaza, European philosophy has been exposed as ethically bankrupt
magine if Iran, Syria, Lebanon, or Turkey – fully backed, armed and diplomatically protected by Russia and China – had the will and the wherewithal to bomb Tel Aviv for three months, day and night, murder tens of thousands of Israelis, maim countless more and make millions homeless, and turn the city into a heap of uninhabitable rubble, like Gaza today.
Just imagine it for a few seconds: Iran and its allies deliberately targeting populated parts of Tel Aviv, hospitals, synagogues, schools, universities, libraries – or indeed any populated place – to ensure maximum civilian casualties. They would tell the world they were just looking for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet.
Ask yourself what the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and Germany in particular would do within 24 hours of the onslaught of this fictional scenario.
Civil rights groups in Israel file petition demanding authorisation for anti-war protests
The petition was filed after the police refused on Tuesday to approve the protest, for the third time.
The petition states that the police‘s refusal to approve the protest „joins the systematic oppression of protests, even small demonstrations, that criticise the combat, its results, and demand a diplomatic solution“.
Last night‘s events in Tel Aviv paint a disturbing picture: the Tel Aviv police are becoming highly influenced by Ben Gvir‘s sentiments regarding protestors. From the accounts of demonstrators, including videos and testimonies, it is evident that severe violence, dismantling of signs, political persecution, and incitement against protesters are becoming disturbingly routine.
We urge the Attorney General not to remain silent when the police transform into a political tool, targeting those who dissent from the government‘s stance.
Particularly in times of war, it is crucial to safeguard freedom of expression and the right to protest.
Like his father and Martin Luther King Jr., RFK Jr. believes that violence abroad is linked to violence on our streets and in our schools. Only when America ceases its endless wars will we restore peace at home.
Public Figures Sign onto Letter Opposing Dehumanization of Gazans, Palestinians, Muslims, Israelis and Jews
The signatories include authors David Grossman and Iris Leal; MK Ofer Cassif (Hadash), philosophers Slavoj Žižek, Eva Illouz, Axel Honneth and Kohei Saito; former Members of Knesset Dov Khenin (Hadash) and Mossi Raz (Meretz); human rights activists Ruchama Marton, Att. Michael Sfard, Ziv Stahl, Avi Dabush, B’tselem Director Yuli Novak and Breaking the Silence Director Avner Gvaryahu; singer Achinoam Nini, actor and director Itay Tiran, and actors Esti Zakheim, Ala Dakka, Yossi Zabari and Menashe Noy; filmmakers Ari Folman, Avi Mograbi, Nadav Lapid, Avigail Sperber and the Heiman brothers; lawyer Daniel Hacklai; choreographer Ohad Naharin, director and choreographer Avshalom Pollak; scholar and journalist Tomer Persico, and many others.
‚I recovered a dead boy‘s leg from a dog‘
„A group of dogs are roaming in our neighbourhood and we have to find a solution to push them away,“ the reporter said.
„Every day we see them looking through the rubble and extracting body parts.
„Yesterday I saw two of them fight over the dead boy‘s leg. I had to step in and take it away from them before burying it. It‘s heartbreaking.“
Organizational Sign-on Letter Calling on States to Support South Africa‘s Genocide Convention Case Against Israel at the ICJ
Organizational Signers:
– Black Alliance for Peace
– Popular Resistance, USA
– Palestinian Assembly for Liberation
– CODEPINK, USA
– Progressive International
– Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network
– Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN)
– Women‘s International League for Peace and Freedom, US Section
– World Beyond War
– International Association of Democratic Lawyers
– National Lawyers Guild, USA
– US Boats to Gaza
– Gaza Freedom Flotilla
– Roots Action, USA
– Veterans for Peace, USA
– Project Enduring Peace, USA
– Women‘s International League for Peace and Freedom, Palestine Section
– PEN International-Palestine
– Peace, Justice, Sustainability, NOW!, USA
– Friends of Latin America, USA
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Center (CMMLK), Cuba
– Proceso de Comunidades Negras (PCN), Colombia
– Women‘s March Global – Region of the Americas
– Landless Workers Movement MST, Brazil
– Federation of Mexican Workers and Unions (Confederación de Trabajadores y Sindicatos de Mexico)
– Venezuelan Popular Feminist Movement (Plataforma de Feminismo Popular de Venezuela)
– Movement of People Affected by Dams (MAR), Western Hemisphere
– The Latin American and Caribbean Council on Popular Education (CEAAL)
– The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy – MIFTAH
– Kenyans for Palestine
– Tatuy Tv, Venezuela
– Asociación Ecuatoriana de Amistad con el Pueblo Saharaui (AEAPS)
– Centro de Documentación en Derechos Humanos Segundo Montes Mozo S.J., Ecuador
– Comité Internacional Paz, Justicia y Dignidad a los Pueblos, Cuba/USA
– Euskadi, Cuba
– Comité de Solidaridad con la Causa Árabe, Spain
– Palestina Toma la Calle, España
– Coordinadora por la Paz, la Soberanía la Integración y la No Injerencia CPAZ Movimiento Social de DDHH, Ecuador
– Centro de Estudios e Investigación sobre Mujeres, Spain
– Fórum de Política Feminista, Spain
– Partido Comunista de los Trabajadores de Argentina
– Plataforma de Solidaridad con la Causa Palestina (Venezuela)
– Foro Itinerante de Participación Popular, Venezuela
– Asociación Gremial de Abogados y Abogadas de Argentina
– Convocatoria SEGUNDA INDEPENDENCIA de Argentina
– Agrupación ESPERANZA Revolucionaria y Socialista, Argentina
– Red de Intelectuales y Artistas en Defensa de la Humanidad- Capitulo Paraguay
– Conseil National des Comités Populaires (CNCP Martinique)
– Instituto Simón Bolívar para la Paz y la Solidaridad entre los Pueblos, Venezuela
– Plateforme Haitienne de Plaidoyer pour un Developpement Alternatif (PAPDA), Haiti
– Women Democratic Front, Pakistan
– Teaching Palestine: Pedagogical Praxis and the Indivisibility of Justice, Palestine/International
– Feminist Conversations Kenya (FCK)
– Syrian Center For Media and Freedom Of Expression
– SOLI (Red de Lucha Por la Paz y Solidaridad Internacional) Puerto Rico
– ALBA Movimientos, Latin America
– Asociación de Mujeres Campesinas y Populares AMUCAP-C, Paraguay
– Alianza Latinoamericana Por Palestina contra el Apartheid
– Liga Mexicana por la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos, LIMEDDH
– Justice for All, USA
– Venezuelanalysis
– Diáspora Pa’lante Collective, Puerto Rico
– Coletivo Advogadas e Advogados pela Democracia (CAAD), Brazil
– Naco Nius México. M. N. N.
– ARCH Jerusalem (Geneva, Switzerland)
– PAL Commission on War Crimes, Justice, Reparations and Return
– Women Advancement for Economic and Leadership Empowerment in Africa (WAELE AFRICA)
– Geneva Council For International Affairs and Development
– Casa Tecmilco, México
– Surgentes, colectivo de DDHH (Venezuela)
– Izquierda Libertaria – Chile
– Amigos de la Tierra América Latina y el Caribe (ATALC)
– Scandinavian Institute for Human Rights/Haytham Manna Foundation
– French Observatory for Human Rights
– Union of Palestinian Organizations of Latin America (UPAL)
– Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS), Jordan
– Syrian Medical Committee
– Horan Rencontre por la Citoyennete, France
– International Institute for Peace, Justice and Human Rights – IIPJHR, Switzerland
– Fórum Latino Palestino, Brazil
– Syndicat National des Journalistes Tunisien (SNJT), Tunis
– Muslim Journal, USA
– Egyptian Revolutionary Socialists
– Ordre National des Avocats de Tunisie
– Kuagro Ri Changaina, Colombia
– Alkarama (Movimiento de Mujeres Palestinas), Spain
– Raíces (Grupo cultural raíces de Guasá), Ecuador
– Comisión Étnica para la Paz y la Defensa de los Derechos Territoriales, Colombia
– International People‘s Assembly
– Arab American Civic Council
– Movimiento de Pequeños Agricultores, MPA Brazil
– Federación Nacional de Cooperativas Agropecuarias (FENACOA), Colombia
– Asociación Colombiana de Economistas Negras – Mano Cambiada
– Sindicato Aeroespacial SP, Brazil
– The Literacy Project, USA
– Sindicato na Televisão, Brazil
– JUST (International Movement for a Just World), Malaysia
– MLN – Movement for Liberation from Nakba, Malaysia
– JUST-IS Interfaith Solidarity for Justice and against Militarism, Pakistan
– Center for the Study of Islam and Decoloniality, Pakistan
– Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
– New York Peace Council
– Law for Palestine
– Palestinian Feminist Collective
– CAGE International
– Vocesenlucha – Comunicación Popular, Spain/Latin America
– Asociación Alnakba, Venezuela
– Mujeres por la Paz
– Sodepau Pais Valencia
– Jubileo Sur/Américas
– Acción Ecológica, Ecuador
– Instituto de Estudios Ecologistas del Tercer Mundo
– Nación Andaluza
– Tunisian National Bar Association
– Palestine Ceasefire Dayton, USA
– Red de Ambientalistas Comunitarios de El Salvador RACDES
– Haqooq-e-Khalq Party, Pakistan
– Congreso de los Pueblos, Colombia
– Marcha Mundial de las Mujeres Macronorte, Perú
– La Vía Campesina
– Jornada Continental por la Democracia y contra el Neoliberalismo
– Geneva Centre for Democracy & Human Rights
– One Justice – France
– International Jurists Union – Geneva
– Global Legal Alliance for Palestine
– Southern Anti-Racism Network
– Mütter gegen den Krieg Berlin-Brandenburg
– PeaceWorks Brunswick Maine, USA
– Trident Ploughshares
– Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (UK)
– Trade Justice Alliance, USA
– Movimiento por un mundo sin guerras y sin violencia (MSGySV)
– Veterans For Peace, Ireland Chapter
– Observatorio de Derechos Humanos de los Pueblos
– Observatorio por el Cierre de la Escuela de las Américas en Chile
– Jordanian Federation of Independent Trade Unions
– Asociación Americana de Juristas
– Engineers Association – Jerusalem Center (Palestine)
– Medical Association – Jerusalem Center (Palestine)
– Palestinian Dental Association (Palestine)
– Pharmacists Association – Jerusalem Center (Palestine)
– Palestinian Nursery and Midwifery Association (Palestine)
– Agricultural Engineers Association – Jerusalem Center (Palestine)
– Palestinian Bar Association (Palestine)
– Palestinian Contractors Union (Palestine)
– Veterinarians Syndicate – Jerusalem Center (Palestine)
– Palestinian Union of Psychologists and Social Workers (Palestine)
– Sínodo luterano salvadoreño
– Green Mountain Solidarity With Palestine
– Sahel fondation
– The International Commission for Supporting the Rights of the Palestinian People “Hashd”
– Rockland for Palestine
– University Network for Human Rights
– Charlottetown Mutual Aid
– Rede Jubileu Sul Brasil
– Movimiento Estudiantil Cristiano de Cuba
– Colectivo Voces Ecológicas COVEC, Panamá
– National Network on Cuba, USA
– Public Intellectuals for Social and Spare Change, USA
– National Lawyers Guild – St. Louis Chapter
– North Carolina Environmental Justice Network, USA
– The Peace Pentagon / Oracle Institute, USA
– Our Revolution – North Dakota, USA
– Peace Action Montgomery, USA
– United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC), USA
– All-African People‘s Revolutionary Party
– Friends of the Congo
– Socialist Action USA
– The Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal
– Oil and Gas Action Network, USA
– Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights
– Mom vision prodeca foundation (MVPF), Senegal
– Pan-Afrikan Liberation Program, USA
– Suffolk University Students for Justice in Palestine, USA
– Black Radical Christians, USA
– Frente Antiimperialista Internacionalista, Spain
– Environmentalists Against War, USA
– Democratic Socialists of America – International Committee
– Georgia Human Rights Clinic, USA
– Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance (MIRA), USA
– Cooperation Jackson, USA
– National Jericho Movement, USA
– Asociación Interpueblos Estado Español
– Black Workers for Justice (BWFJ), USA
– American Muslims for Palestine-Richmond VA Chapter, USA
– Peace Action of San Mateo County, USA
– Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), USA
– Friendship Office of the Americas
– HUMANITAS: The Africana Ethical Society
– Sankara Farm, USA
– Workers World Party, USA
– International Action Center
– The Universal Ethician Church
– Middle East Justice and Peace Group of Central Pennsylvania, USA
– Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine
– Northwest Ohio Peace Coalition
– Doctors Against Genocide
– Seattle Anti-War Coalition
– Racine Coalition for Peace and Justice
– Ubuntu Freedom
– Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, New Zealand
– Jewish Voice for Peace — Mid-Hudson Valley, USA
– Just Peace Advocates/Mouvement Pour Une Paix Juste
– Jisoor
– Spokane Veterans For Peace #035
– Rumbo a Gaza-Freedom Flotilla Coalition
– Students for Justice in Palestine at UChicago, USA
– International Institute for Human Rights, Environment and Development (INHURED International), Nepal
– Egyptian foundation for advancement of the childhood conditions
– Arab Women Organization of Jordan
– Women Helping Women Network, Jordan
– Palestine Institute for National Security Research, Palestine
– London Ontario Activism, Canada
– Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development PWWSD, Palestine
– Palestinian Labor Struggle Union
– Tunisian General Labor Union UGTT
– Jerusalem Legal Aid Center
– Bahrain Human Rights Society
– The Civil Commission for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Rule of Law „ISTIQLAL“, Palestine
– Comité de Vigilance pour la Démocratie en Tunisie, Tunisia
– Inminds Human Rights Group, UK
– Resistance Kitchen, UK
– The Palestinian Federation of Women‘s Action Committee, Palestine
– Lebanese Council of Women
– Roots Society for Citizen Right, Jordan
– Damascus Center for Theoretical and Civil Rights, Syria
– Women’s Studies Centre, Palestine
– The Canadian Peoples‘ Union
– Solidarité Laïque/Méditerranée. Tunisie
– Al Baraem Association for Charitable Work, Lebanon
– Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Middle East (Germany)
– Rencontres Marx, France
– Women‘s International League for Peace and Freedom – International
– The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession
– AlgeriaRevolt
– Algeria Solidarity Campaign
– Workers in the Informal Economy Network Uganda
– U.S. Peace Council
– Secure Scotland
– Peace People, Ireland
– Aufstehen, Germany
– Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine South Africa
– Movement for Freedom and Democracy in Palestine, Palestine
– Mother‘s School Society, Palestine
– Arab Commission for Human Rights
– Association of Women’s Action, Palestine
– HOPE (Health Over Profit for Everyone) in the Midwest, USA
– Bronx Anti War Coalition, USA
– Citizens International, Malaysia
– Jewish Network for Palestine (UK)
– SE London Friends Of Palestine, UK
– Voices for Justice in Palestine, USA
100+ Global Rights Groups Urge Support for South Africa‘s Genocide Case Against Israel at ICJ
The letter was released days after South Africa filed its claim, asking the ICJ to declare that Israel has breached its obligations under the Genocide Convention, to which it is a party.
The death toll in Gaza has reached at least 22,313, with at least 57,296 people wounded and thousands feared dead under rubble.
What We Want
1. An Immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
We demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Over 21,000+ Palestinians have been killed, 70% were women and children since October 7th. With 54,000+ injured, and approximately 1.8 million displaced in the last 3 months, the indiscriminate targeting of civilians by Israel must stop.
2. Stop the unconditional US funding of Israel’s genocide against Gaza and the occupation of Palestine.
It is abundantly clear that Israel’s genocide in Gaza is funded and supported by the United States. The hundreds of millions of dollars in ammunition transfers since October 7th, the back-and-forth shuttling of top-level US officials to Israel, the positioning of American aircraft carriers and the use of mercenaries has all been facilitated by the United States to bolster Israel’s murderous rampage in Gaza. We also firmly oppose current proposals in Congress to send an additional 14.3 billion dollars worth of weapons to Israel while it massacres Palestinian children daily. We demand an immediate and complete end to all US weapons transfers to Israel.
3. Hold Israel accountable for war crimes committed against the Palestinian people and their continuous violations of international law.
Israeli leaders have been very explicit in their intent to commit genocide in Gaza. Top ranked officials such as Netanyahu to lower rank government officials such as Galit Atbaryan have all called for the erasure of Gaza and the elimination of the Palestinian people. We call on the International Criminal Court to investigate and charge Israeli leaders with crimes against humanity for their intent and committal of well-documented atrocities against the people of Gaza and Gaza’s civilian infrastructure such as homes, schools, hospitals, mosques/churches, universities, roads, water and power infrastructure.
We also call on the US government to end their participation and complicity in Israel’s crimes against humanity and demand full and swift accountability for US and Israeli officials involved in this genocide.
Endorsers
ACT UP NYC
African People’s Socialist Party
African People’s Solidarity Committee
Al-Awda: The Palestinian Right to Return Coalition
Al-Awda, Palestine Right of Return Movement
Al-Nahda Center
Alpha Lambda Mu Fraternity
American Civic and Humanitarian Coalition
American Human Rights Council
American Muslim Public Affairs Committee & #AbandonBiden
American Student Union
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
Arab American Association of New York
Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL)
Arab Chicago
Baltimore Nonviolence Center
Baltimore, MD Phil Berrigan Memorial Veterans For Peace
Bianca For San Francisco
BiH United
Black is Back Coalition for Social Justice, Peace and Reparations
Borderlands for Equity
Bronx Anti War Coalition
Capoeira Angola DC
Carolina Peace Center
Chicago Faith Coalition on Middle East Policy
Christians United for Palestine
CIOGC
Claudia Jones School for Political Education
Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration & Immigrant Rights and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary (BAMN)
CODEPINK
Communist Party USA
Community Not Cages
Community Peacemaker Teams
CT Palestine Solidarity Coalition
DAG- Doctors Against Genocide
Dar Al-Hijrah
DC Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression (DCAARPR)
DC Communist Party
DC Young Communist League
Delawareans for Palestinian Human Rights (DelPHR)
Diáspora Pa’lante Collective
Direct Action for Rights and Equality
Dissenters
Drew’s Students for Justice in Palestine
Emerald Project
Empowered Minds Psychological Center, LLC
Environmentalists Against War
Equality Labs
Foundation for Economic and Social Justice
Freedom Road Socialist Organization
Friends of Sabeel North America( FOSNA)
Friends of the Bowen Branch Library
Front Royal for Palestine
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Let’s start 2024 on the right track, Marching on Washington for Gaza
On January 13th, 2024, the American Muslim Task Force for Palestine in partnership with the ANSWER Coalition, will host the March On Washington for Gaza. We call on all our supporters to join us for this monumental event and make sure their demands for justice are met.
Date: Saturday, January 13th, 2024 | 1:00 PM
Location: The National Mall | 1600 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004
War on Gaza: OIC and Arab League must back South Africa‘s ICJ case on Israel
Beyond material progress and architectural marvels that rival ancient wonders, a truly progressive state is marked by its commitment to accountability and justice – a domain where some established democracies have faltered.
After enduring a harrowing 85 days of bombardment resulting in nearly 22,000 killed, including more than 8,000 children and 6,000 women, 1.9 million displaced and the collapse of the health infrastructure, South Africa, a signatory of the Genocide Convention has finally called upon the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to examine the crisis.
This long-awaited step reflects a crucial recognition of the international community‘s role in conflict resolution and human rights protection.
South Africa accuses Israel of genocide in a U.N. court.
Allegations of war crimes by both Israel and by Palestinian militant groups in territories occupied by Israel in 1967 are already under investigation at the International Criminal Court, which is independent of the U.N. But the impact of that investigation is unclear because Israel is not a member nation of the I.C.C. and does not recognize its jurisdiction.
Israel is, however, a signatory of the Genocide Convention, along with South Africa, which paved the way for the case at the International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court.
South Africa files genocide case against Israel at International Court of Justice over Gaza war
South Africa and Israel are both parties to the Genocide Convention, according to the ICJ, which is also known as the World Court and is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
Konvention über die Verhütung und Bestrafung des Völkermordes
Artikel I: Die Vertragschließenden Parteien bestätigen, daß Völkermord, ob im Frieden oder im Krieg begangen, ein Verbrechen gemäß internationalem Recht ist; sie verpflichten sich zu seiner Verhütung und Bestrafung.
Artikel II: In dieser Konvention bedeutet Völkermord eine der folgenden Handlungen, die in der Absicht begangen wird, eine nationale, ethnische, rassische oder religiöse Gruppe als solche ganz oder teilweise zu zerstören:
(a) Tötung von Mitgliedern der Gruppe;
(b) Verursachung von schwerem körperlichem oder seelischem Schaden an Mitgliedern der
Gruppe;
(c) vorsätzliche Auferlegung von Lebensbedingungen für die Gruppe, die geeignet sind, ihre körperliche Zerstörung ganz oder teilweise herbeizuführen;
(d) Verhängung von Maßnahmen, die auf die Geburtenverhinderung innerhalb der Gruppe
gerichtet sind;
(e) gewaltsame Überführung von Kindern der Gruppe in eine andere Gruppe.
Artikel III: Die folgenden Handlungen sind zu bestrafen:
(a) Völkermord,
(b) Verschwörung zur Begehung von Völkermord,
(c) unmittelbare und öffentliche Aufhetzung zur Begehung von Völkermord,
(d) Versuch, Völkermord zu begehen,
(e) Teilnahme am Völkermord.
Artikel IV: Personen, die Völkermord oder eine der sonstigen in Artikel II aufgeführtenvHandlungen begehen, sind zu bestrafen, gleichviel ob sie regierende Personen, öffentliche Beamte oder private Einzelpersonen sind.
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
(Adopted by Resolution 260 (III) A of the United Nations General Assembly on 9 December 1948.)
Article I
The Contracting Parties confirm that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and to punish.
Article II
In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:
(a) Killing members of the group;
(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
Article III
The following acts shall be punishable:
(a) Genocide;
(b) Conspiracy to commit genocide;
(c) Direct and public incitement to commit genocide;
(d) Attempt to commit genocide;
(e) Complicity in genocide.
Article IV
Persons committing genocide or any of the other acts enumerated in article III shall be punished, whether they are constitutionally responsible rulers, public officials or private individuals.
(…)
Article IX
Disputes between the Contracting Parties relating to the interpretation, application or fulfilment of the present Convention, including those relating to the responsibility of a State for genocide or any of the other acts enumerated in article III, shall be submitted to the International Court of Justice at the request of any of the parties to the dispute.
#UNGA Special Session: “Any life lost is a tragedy, there is no hierarchy of death” – Bob Rae, Canada Representative to the United Nations
(Oct 27, 2023)
A new leadership for the PA, followed by UN troops in Gaza and the West Bank defending a new Palestinian state. This is the only way forward.
Frankfurt – Germany, reciting the poem of poet, academic, and storyteller, the Palestinian martyr Professor Refaat Al-Areer @itranslate123 in several languages during a protest that called for #StopGazaGenocide #NotATarget #NotANumber
If I must die,
you must live
to tell my story
to sell my things
to buy a piece of cloth
and some strings,
(make it white with a long tail)
so that a child, somewhere in Gaza
while looking heaven in the eye
awaiting his dad who left in a blaze —
and bid no one farewell
not even to his flesh
not even to himself —
sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up
above
and thinks for a moment an angel is there
bringing back love
If I must die
let it bring hope
let it be a tale.
Berlin: Rund 2.000 Menschen bei Pro-Palästina-Demo
Zu der Demonstration hatte der Bezirksverband Neukölln der Partei Die Linke aufgerufen. In dem Aufruf wird die Bundesregierung aufgefordert, sich für einen sofortigen und dauerhaften Waffenstillstand und für die Aufhebung der Blockade des Gaza-Streifens einzusetzen. Zudem müsse die humanitäre Versorgung der Zivilbevölkerung ermöglicht werden.
Palestinians hope a vote in the UN General Assembly will show wide support for a Gaza cease-fire
The Palestinians are hoping that a vote Tuesday in the U.N. General Assembly on a nonbinding resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire will demonstrate widespread global support for ending the Israel-Hamas war, now in its third month.
After the United States vetoed a resolution in the Security Council on Friday demanding a humanitarian cease-fire, Arab and Islamic nations called for an emergency session of the 193-member General Assembly on Tuesday afternoon to vote on a resolution making the same demand.
Those saying “there are no innocents in Gaza” are enabling, consciously or not, criminal plans of ethnic cleansing by way of forcible-transfer, as well as extensive killing of innocent civilians. Words that policy makers speak become policy. As Israelis, we must not stay silent.
The crime of genocide is barbaric, whether it be against Indigenous peoples, Armenians, Jews, Tutsi or Congolese people… Yet, in the midst of actual genocidal attacks against Palestinians by Israeli forces enabled by the US government, Congress focuses on possible genocidal speech acts of students against Jews. This flagrant silence and indifference against Palestinian suffering speaks volumes on the hypocrisy and double standards in American society. #CeaseFireNow #StopTheGenocide
Israeli forces executed an unarmed 9 year old Palestinian child in Jenin out in the open. Some of the same people who would’ve issued statements of outrage and maybe even took to the streets if this happened here in the United States will continue to remain silent while our children are murdered in cold blood every single day
(November 29, 2023)
Any one of the 139 states party could invoke the Genocide Convention against Israel and its co-conspirators.Those states include Iran, Russia, Libya, Malaysia, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Afghanistan, Cuba, Ireland, Iceland, Jordan, South Africa, Turkey and Qatar. ……
MSF calls US veto of Gaza ceasefire resolution “a vote against humanity”
Avril Benoît, executive director of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) USA gave the following statement:
“As bombs continue to rain down on Palestinian civilians and cause widespread destruction, the US has once again used its power to block an attempt by the UN Security Council to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. By vetoing this resolution, the US stands alone in casting its vote against humanity.
The US veto stands in sharp contrast to the values it professes to uphold. By continuing to provide diplomatic cover for the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, the US is signaling that international humanitarian law can be applied selectively—and that the lives of some people matter less than the lives of others.