Arab diplomats urge Israel to respect Gazan human rights
The UN’s Human Rights Council heard pleas from the Arab world for Israel to stop its offensive in Gaza yesterday, in the latest bid to ease tensions in the Middle East.
Regional diplomats, senior UN officials and European ministers urged Israel to abide by human rights norms, reduce civilian casualties, allow more aid into Gaza and refrain from attacking Rafah.
“Around the world, warring parties claim exemptions, asserting that certain people or situations are uniquely dangerous,” said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
“But flouting international law only feeds insecurity and results in more bloodshed.”
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan urged countries to work on a “clear-cut, legitimate peace process” to stop Palestinians from being “subjected to the worst violations of human rights”.
“We should dissipate doubts about the right of Palestinians to live in security and their right to self-determination through a legitimate process that is irreversible for them to have their independent state,” he said.
“We call upon all countries to adhere to the principles of peace and justice and to work together to end what we can call collective punishment and its serious ramifications.”
With Israel’s conduct already being closely watched in The Hague, it faces further scrutiny in Geneva as the human rights body begins a month-long session.
Israel denies allegations of genocide and war crimes, saying it is carrying out an anti-Hamas campaign after the deadly attacks by militants on October 7 last year.
But concern is growing, even among Israel’s allies, with a new UN report saying the human rights situation had “drastically worsened” in Palestinian territory.
“This session is taking place at a time where the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Palestine, namely in Gaza, goes from bad to worse,” Libya’s acting Foreign Minister, Eltaher Elbaour said.
Israel “pays no heed to the insistence of the international community and continues to act above the law”, he said.
Middle East ministers called on the international community to use its influence to push Israel into a ceasefire and peace in Gaza.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said security could not prevail in the Middle East “until all rights of the Palestinian people are restored”. He said these rights were currently being “trampled on” by Israel.
“We must condemn the occupation and bring to bear international law against the government that denies the Palestinian people the right to freedom,” Mr Safadi said.