Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights’ Oral Statement

Item 2: High Commissioner

3 March 2022

We welcome the High Commissioner’s acknowledgement that “despite intensified violence and recurring violations of [international law] in the [OPT], impunity remained widespread and pervasive”. These findings are supported by Al Mezan’s long engagement with Israel’s criminal justice system, which conclusively indicates that Israel is unwilling to conduct genuine investigations into suspected war crimes and other serious violations and does not hold those responsible to account. Israel has also failed to meet international standards in relation to redress and reparations for victims in Gaza.

This system is designed to provide impunity and to aid Israeli authorities in maintaining their apartheid system over the Palestinian people as a whole.

The High Commissioner also noted “the long-standing series of actions by Israel to silence HRDs and […] organizations speaking up for human rights of Palestinians.”

Civil society efforts to pursue accountability have been met with a relentless campaign by the Israeli government and associated actors to undermine efforts to end its oppression of Palestinians and apparent crimes, including apartheid. Part of this campaign saw the so-called “terrorist” designation of six Palestinian organizations, based on undisclosed [quote] ‘secret evidence’ and without due process.

Accordingly, we urge this Council to support the work of international accountability mechanisms, including the ICC and the commission of inquiry, as a means to ensure accountability for Israel’s systematic violations of international law.

Thank you.