End Palestine occupation, says BYM
‘We urge governments to uphold international law, enforce the ICJ’s findings'
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) has joined calls to world leaders to uphold the UN General Assembly (UNGA)’s resolution that Israel must end its unlawful presence in Palestine.
The open letter, signed by thirty organisations, urged global leaders to ‘uphold their legal and moral responsibilities’.
The UNGA voted overwhelmingly in favour of the resolution seven months ago, following an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling last July. This declared Israel’s occupation of Palestine was unlawful, and that Israel must end its presence in occupied Palestine within twelve months.
In its advisory ruling, the ICJ affirmed that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and Gaza is illegal.
‘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,’ BYM said, on the Quakers in Britain website. ‘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, said that, 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.’
