Amnesty International calls for 'sanctions on Israel'

The UK-based organization published a letter addressed to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and the foreign ministers of EU countries ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting to be held in Brussels tomorrow.

In its letter, the organization called on Borrell and European ministers to ensure that the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) dated July 19, 2024, is translated into effective policies that will end Israel's violations of international law.

The letter recalled that the court issued an opinion stating that Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful, and that Israel is under an obligation to end its unlawful presence, immediately cease all new settlement activities, evacuate all settlers, and make reparations for the damage caused.

Furthermore, the letter emphasized that the court found all states are under an obligation not to recognize as lawful the situation arising from Israel's unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territories, and not to provide aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel's continued presence there.

"LEAVES NO ROOM FOR DOUBT"

The letter, which included statements from Eve Geddie, Director of Amnesty International's European Institutions Office, recalled that the EU has long acknowledged that the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip are under Israeli occupation.

However, Geddie emphasized that the EU's policies and practices toward Israel have failed to address the illegality of Israel's ongoing presence in the occupied Palestinian territories and the serious violations Israel commits to maintain the occupation, underlining that the court's advisory opinion leaves no room for doubt.

Geddie highlighted that Israel's occupation and annexation of Palestinian territories, its policy of establishing settlements, its seizure of land, and its exploitation of the natural resources of the occupied Palestinian territories are unlawful, and reported that Israel's discriminatory policies, laws, and practices against Palestinians "violate the prohibition of racial discrimination and apartheid."

"CALL FOR CONCRETE ACTION FROM THE EU"

Eve Geddie stated that the court's findings clearly point to international law violations committed by Israel and the obligations of third states not to legitimize Israel's illegal conduct or provide any support for it, noting the following:

"The supply of arms and equipment by EU member states and their trade and investment with illegal Israeli settlements enable Israel's violations of international law and are contrary to their obligations under international law. It cannot be business as usual with a state that is maintaining a brutal, unlawful occupation and committing serious violations of international law on a mass scale, including war crimes and crimes against humanity. The brutal bombing of Gaza, which is at clear risk of genocide, the deadly surge in state-backed settler violence, and the recent military offensive in the West Bank are byproducts of Israel's unlawful occupation and the impunity that has persisted for decades thanks to the EU's inaction."

Geddie emphasized that the EU's calls for a ceasefire and an end to settler violence will be in vain unless concrete steps are taken, such as implementing an immediate arms embargo, banning trade with Israeli settlements, and supporting action at the United Nations to end Israel's unlawful occupation.