His Excellency Muhannad Hadi;
Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO),
For the Attention of the Distinguished representatives and directors of UN agencies and International Organizations operating in the Occupied Palestinian territories.
We are writing to urge the United Nations, and your organizations to adopt the language of the latest International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion regarding the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. This opinion clearly articulates that the occupation is illegal and that Israel is in violation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the international prohibition of apartheid.
The ICJ’s ruling underscores several critical points:
- Illegality of the Occupation: The ICJ has reaffirmed that Israel’s prolonged occupation of Palestinian territories is in breach of international law. This occupation denies the Palestinian people their right to self-determination and continues to create significant barriers to peace and stability in the region.
- Violation of International Conventions: The ruling highlights Israel’s violations of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The policies and practices enforced by Israel in the occupied territories have resulted in systematic discrimination against Palestinians, infringing upon their basic human rights and freedoms.
- Prohibition of Apartheid: The ICJ opinion brings to light the practices that constitute apartheid, as defined under international law. The segregation, discriminatory legal systems, and oppressive measures imposed upon Palestinians in the occupied territories amount to an apartheid regime, which is unequivocally condemned by international law.
It is imperative that the United Nations, as a guardian of international peace, security, and human rights, adopts the language and findings of the ICJ ruling in all its statements and communication materials. This adoption will send a clear message that the international community stands firmly against the illegal occupation and the violations of international law perpetuated by Israel. Furthermore, it will strengthen the UN’s role in advocating for a just and lasting peace in the region, based on the principles of equality, justice, and respect for human rights.
Moreover, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination obliges states parties to pursue by all appropriate means the elimination of racial discrimination in all its forms. The practices and policies implemented in the occupied Palestinian territory have been found to contravene these obligations, reinforcing a system of racial segregation and oppression that resembles apartheid.
We urge the United Nations to take decisive action in line with the ICJ’s findings. By doing so, the UN will not only uphold its commitment to international law but also reaffirm its dedication to protecting the rights and dignity of all peoples, including the Palestinian population suffering under occupation.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I trust that the United Nations will take the necessary steps to ensure that justice and international law prevail.
Sincerely,
Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network
President
Dr Mohammad Aboushi