WITH the backing of Washington, Israel’s expansionist and militant policies in Palestine have put the peace of the Middle East at stake. About 40,000 oppressed Palestinians have lost their lives due to the aggression of Zionist forces, while millions of innocent civilians are struggling to find shelters. Due to ground and air operations in Gaza and Rafah, the process of evacuation of Palestinians has increased to an alarming level. Hospitals are also closing due to shortage of fuel, water and medical equipment. According to the United Nations Food Program (WFP), there is now only 10 to 12 days of food in the occupied territories. Due to lack of water, people are forced to drink contaminated water.
The UN has so far passed more than 250 resolutions against Israel’s expansionist ambitions and brutality, but it is a pity that not a single one of them has been implemented. The Oslo Accords, signed 30 years ago under US President Bill Clinton, urged Israel to return 22 percent of Palestinian land; to establish an independent and independent Palestinian state, but instead of doing so, all limits of cruelty and brutality were touched to fulfill the Zionist expansionist ambitions. The powerful Western countries led by the United States have turned a blind eye to violations of international law and violations of human rights, while the international community has limited itself to verbal condemnation of Israeli actions, which practically do not help the Palestinians. Under such situations, the brutality of Israel always increased.
In recent days, despite the opposition of Washington and its allies in the United Nations General Assembly, a resolution was passed by 143 countries around the world, including Europe, to make the Palestinian state a member of the UN. The declaration and the decision of the International Court of Justice to arrest important Israeli political and military leaders, including Netanyahu, for open violations of international law, is a welcome step against Zionist terrorism. However, the question is who will ensure the prevention of Israeli war crimes in Palestine? The fact is that the aggressive actions of the Zionist regime do not seem to stop. If the recent reports are reviewed, all the facts come out in the open.
The Zionist forces have desecrated all the holy places in Palestine, especially the First Qibla of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the historic Jami Masjid Ibrahim in Hebron, West Jordan. All over the world this time, as humanity voices have been raised against Israeli brutality. People of every school of thought held protest and rallies in Western countries, including the US and Britain in particular. This series of protests is still going on. More than 143 countries of the United Nations have recognized the Palestinian state. Norway, Ireland, Spain and Slovenia have recently recognized Palestine. Despite all this, imperialism and its allies are supporting Israel’s inhumane acts and terrorism.
The United States has vetoed several UN Security Council resolutions for a ceasefire. A military operation on Gaza and Rafah at a time when there is no provision to move millions of civilians to safe places is a question mark for the entire world of humanity. In these critical situations, the Arab and European countries are welcoming the decision of the International Court of Justice on the request of South Africa and insisting on stopping the aggressive actions, but on the other hand, Washington’s criminal silence seems to be creating a big tragedy.
Thirteen of the 15 judges of the International Court of Justice have expressed the hopes to immediately open the Rafah crossing and investigate Israel’s war crimes. But as in the past, the United States is the biggest obstacle in the implementation of this decision because the statement of White House spokesman John Kirby that “we have a clear and consistent position regarding Rafah” has raised many questions. According to President Joe Biden, the International Court of Justice has exceeded its jurisdiction by giving a decision to stop the military operation in Rafah. Similarly, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is also clearly refusing to implement this decision.
The Zionist Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, showed boldness and even said that stopping the war in Gaza would mean erasing Israel from the page. European Union foreign policy official Joseph Borrell has revealed that European countries are threatening the judges of the International Court of Justice against Israel, while according to the British newspaper “The Guardian” former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen also threatened the Prosecutor of the International Court of Justice, pressuring him to abandon the war crimes investigation. In these circumstances, the question that arises is whether the decision of the International Court of Justice will prevent Israel from continuing the war in Gaza or not.
When Israel was established, approximately 500,000 Jews lived in a 5,000 square mile area. Today, Israel spans 38,000 square miles with over 8 million people. Since the 1967 occupation of Palestine, millions of Palestinians have sought refuge in neighbouring countries – Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, facing ongoing displacement due to imperialist tactics. This expansion, fuelled by domination, has perpetuated oppression and brutality. Reports reveal alarming abuses in Israeli prisons, including the testing of dangerous drugs and weapons on inmates, especially children and women. Palestinian women endure severe violence, including dehumanizing strip searches and confinement in metal cages with attack dogs. The international community’s silence contrasts sharply with global outrage over other conflicts. Urgent action from the International Court of Justice is essential to halt these violations of international law and ensure the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on Palestine, crucial for fostering lasting peace in the Middle East.
—The writer is contributing columnist.
