On 6 March 2023, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights addressed the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council—which is currently holding its 52^nd regular session—calling for the international community to end Israel’s longstanding impunity for its gross, systematic violations against the Palestinian people, including by supporting the work of international mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court and the UN Commission of Inquiry.

As part of its regular engagement with the Council, Al Mezan delivered an oral intervention under Agenda  Item 2 during the interactive dialogue with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who presented his latest report on the ‘Human Rights Situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Obligation to Ensure Accountability and Justice’. The statement critically asserted that the international community’s inaction towards Israeli crimes has encouraged Israel to escalate the commission of its systematic and gross violations of Palestinians’ inalienable rights for over 75 years.

The statement comes at a critical time for the Palestinian people, who are facing yet another deadly cycle of Israeli colonial oppression. That is, since the beginning of 2023, Israeli forces and settlers killed at least 65 Palestinians, including 13 children, throughout the occupied Palestinian territory.   

The statement also voiced serious concerns over the new Israeli government and its racist policies against Palestinians which all indicate that urgent international intervention is needed.

The full statement reads as follows:

Mr. President,

While 2022 was the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank in 17 years, the scale of crimes committed by Israeli forces and settlers suggests that this year is set to be even worse.

Since the beginning of 2023, at least 65 Palestinians have been killed, including 13 children.

In Gaza, Israel’s settler-colonial blockade and closure enter its sixteenth consecutive year. Last August, Israel launched yet another unprovoked military attack against Gaza. In the space of three days, 32 Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks, including nine children and three women.

The international community’s failure to take effective measures to hold Israeli authorities accountable has encouraged Israel to escalate the commission of systematic, and grave violations of Palestinians’ rights, including those that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Mr. President,

The ideological commitments made by the new Israeli government, and the policies it has so far implemented on the ground, all indicate that urgent international intervention is needed.

We urge this Council to support the work of international accountability mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court and the Commission of Inquiry.

Thank you.