The Time Has Come to Prosecute Criminals and Killers and Hold Israel and Its Supporters Legally Accountable
Despite the ceasefire, the Israeli military continues to target civilians in shelters for displaced persons, using warplanes and missiles, resulting in the deaths of large numbers of people, the majority of them children, women, and the elderly. These acts constitute clear violations of international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of distinction and proportionality, and amount to war crimes under the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. We once again bring this to the attention of states that claim to uphold international law and human rights.
The United Nations, through its various institutions, has issued numerous reports concluding that Israel has committed the crime of genocide and describing its actions as potentially constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity. The fundamental issue, however, is not the legal characterization of these acts, but rather the international community›s failure to enforce the law against those alleged to have committed such crimes.
For more than three years, the Gaza Strip has witnessed widespread killings of civilians, the destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, universities, and shelters, as well as a siege that has deprived the population of food, medicine, water, and electricity. All of this has unfolded in full view of the international community. The current situation therefore no longer requires additional reports, but rather the legal and political will to apply the law, regardless of the identity or influence of the perpetrator.
The 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide recognizes genocide as a crime under international law. The 1949 Geneva Conventions and the 1977 Additional Protocol I prohibit attacks against civilians, collective punishment, forced displacement, and attacks on hospitals and medical personnel. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court classifies genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, including attacks on civilians and humanitarian facilities, as well as the extensive destruction of property without military necessity.
These crimes are no longer confined to violations on the ground. They have also extended to the United Nations itself, amid the campaign against UNRWA and Israel›s repeated and public rejection of UN resolutions and appeals. This raises serious questions about the international system established after the Second World War and the extent to which the international community remains capable of enforcing its will against a state that persistently disregards international law and human rights.
The issue today is not a lack of legal provisions, but the absence of their equal application. Why is international law enforced in some cases while ignored in others? Why does the principle of ending impunity remain subject to political power balances? International justice loses its credibility and meaning when it is applied selectively, and international law loses its authority when it is enforced against some states but not others. Protecting civilians, ensuring justice for victims, and holding those responsible for violations accountable—regardless of who they are—are the true measures of respect for international law. Otherwise, the consequences will extend to undermining the foundations of the international legal order, which is based on the rule of law, the sovereign equality of states, and the principle of accountability.
The Legal Department of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine calls upon all legal and political institutions, as well as all defenders of justice and the rule of law, to continue working toward restoring respect for international law and reaffirming its authority and credibility. This requires upholding the principles of justice and ending impunity, which can only be achieved by holding accountable all those responsible for crimes committed against the Palestinian people and the peoples of the region, and bringing them to justice in accordance with international law, foremost among them the leaders and soldiers of the Israeli occupation, as well as its supporters at the international level.