Presenting the latest report of the commission of inquiry, Navi Pillay said the conclusions were based on a legal analysis carried out as part of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
“We have concluded that the State of Israel is responsible for carrying out four acts of genocide in Gaza with the specific intent of destroying the Palestinians in Gaza, as such,” she said.
“The Commission also found that the Israeli President, Prime Minister and former Defense Minister incited genocide. »
Ms. Pillay, a former UN human rights chiefdescribed the situation in Gaza as « the most ruthless, prolonged and widespread attack on the Palestinian people in history. »
The devastation cannot be undone
She said that while the fragile ceasefire and the release of hostages and prisoners “offer hope, they cannot undo the devastation that has already occurred,” adding that “the Gaza Strip is in ruins, rendered almost uninhabitable.”
She added that Israeli officials had « publicly approved plans to deport the population, build settlements and annex the territory. »
Although the ceasefire suspended these policies, « recent statements by Israeli officials make clear that these goals remain firmly in place. »
This was Ms. Pillay’s final report to the General Assembly, having led the independent international investigative body since July 2021.
Occupied West Bank
In the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the Commission found that Israeli policies since October 2023 – as well as its explicit and implicit support for violent settlers – “demonstrate a clear intent to forcibly transfer Palestinians, expand the Israeli Jewish civilian presence, and annex the majority of the West Bank.”
The goal, Ms. Pillay said, is “to prevent any potential Palestinian self-determination and statehood and to maintain indefinite occupation.”
Guarantee accountability
She urged Member States to ensure justice and accountability “by supporting International Criminal Court (ICC) in its investigations” and using universal jurisdiction to pursue suspects, including dual nationals.
“It pains me that, in my last presentation as chair of this commission, the post-World War II multilateral system failed to prevent this genocide,” she said. “The international system has been judged to be failing. »
She concluded by calling for “truth and reconciliation”, adding that “only transitional justice can allow peace to take root and flourish”.
Call for a permanent ceasefire
Francesca Albanese, the independent UN Human Rights Council-appointed Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territoriesalso briefed the General Assembly committee and stressed the need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
She urged member states to ensure Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied territories and the dismantling of Israeli settlements.
At the same time, they must suspend all military, trade and diplomatic relations with Israel “until it ends its genocide, illegal occupation and apartheid,” she said, also calling for investigations and, where warranted, prosecution of those involved in alleged crimes.
“This is how we begin to honor the memory of those who were killed. And if the Security Council is paralyzed, this Assembly must act by uniting for peace with more determination than ever,” she added.
Special rapporteurs and other human rights experts appointed under the special procedures mandate of the Human Rights Council are not UN staff and are independent of any government or organization. They receive no salary for their work.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
