For years, the international community’s refusal to condemn systemic abuses of international law has exacerbated the Israeli practices against Palestinians. As a result, there is ample proof that “Israel’s” government is breaking international law in its occupation of Palestinian territory and harsh tactics against the Palestinian people. Yet, “Israel” enjoys impunity due to a lack of international political will to demand accountability.
According to a recent report issued by the United Nations (UN) Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Israeli occupation is the source of Palestinian suffering and the continuance of the Palestinian struggle in the face of Israeli oppression.
Forced relocation, threats of forced displacement, demolition of buildings, settlement development and growth, settler violence, and the Gaza blockade all contribute to repeating cycles of violence. The Commission further stated that the Israeli occupation administration has been modifying the demography by maintaining a repressive atmosphere for Palestinians and a favorable one for Israeli settlers.
More importantly, “Israel’s” fundamental existence is grounded on deception. “Israel” has been violating human rights since its inception, so why do international actors, who regard themselves as the world’s guardians and protectors of human rights and democracy, accept Israeli claims? The international community has turned a blind eye to Israeli crimes against Palestinians. Israeli atrocities do not require a magnifying lens to be exposed because they are committed in broad daylight.
Notably, the United States and its Western and non-Western partners trust “Israel” and support and protect it as long as they have interests in the area, regardless of human rights breaches or savage dictatorships. Regardless of how much “Israel” amplifies its unlawful and criminal activities against Palestinians, Western support, particularly American, remains constant.
In the meantime, the international community has demonstrated resolution in the face of the Russian-Ukraine crisis, and the same standards must be applied to the Palestinian cause as well. The world’s reaction to Russia’s operation in Ukraine is derived from the rules-based international order intended to address the issue. However, we must not forget that neglecting global standards and norms has long harmed peace and security, allowing impunity to “Israel”.
Furthermore, the widespread criticism of Russia’s operation in Ukraine may force the US and Europe to acknowledge that all other countries waging war on their citizens or neighbors must also be held accountable for committing aggression, breaching international law, and war crimes. If international law is to be observed and a worldwide rule of law is implemented everywhere, Russia should not be the sole country to be isolated and sanctioned. No one should be allowed to act with impunity, especially not “Israel”.
Significantly, “Israel” consistently targets Palestinians due to the “gift of impunity” given to the apartheid regime. It has long been a source of concern that “Israel” fails to ensure accountability for breaches of international human rights law (IHRL) and international humanitarian law (IHL), including crimes against humanity committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). A lack of accountability fosters an atmosphere of impunity and encourages additional violations. While this is going on, victims and their families are not given justice or redress.
A situation is created where “Israel”, its government, its military, and other organizations operate with an impunity that is automatic, blind, constant, and nearly total, because the Israeli so-called “justice” system likewise routinely frees individuals who commit such crimes.
Additionally, soldiers in the occupied regions know that almost anything they do is considered acceptable, including shooting, killing, abusing, and humiliating others. Neither “Israel” nor anyone else will ever punish them. More people are being killed, detained without cause for political reasons, subjected to collective punishment, having their homes demolished, having their land taken, being subjected to torture and humiliation, and having their natural resources exploited every day.
No one is ever held accountable. If a report is made, “Israel” will not even read it, and its ambassador will shred the document on the world’s most respected international platform. Anyone who attempts to initiate an investigation will be soon silenced. As a result, there has been no accountability for the enormous list of atrocities perpetrated in Israeli-occupied territories.
Similarly, no other country has the same level of impunity as “Israel“. The rest of the world may take a hard position against “Israel” politically, but in the event of any potentially detrimental move, it comes to its defense. The international community has never taken a real initiative toward bringing the perpetrators to justice. “Israel” knows it will have impunity for its crimes unless the international community intervenes.
Israeli authorities must stop the unjustified killings, intentional harm, arbitrary detentions, torture, and other forms of ill-treatment, as well as the persecution and collective punishment of Palestinians, including many children. The murder of seasoned journalist Shireen Abu Akleh serves as a reminder of the lethal system “Israel” uses to confine Palestinians. Palestinians are being killed by “Israel” brutally and with impunity.
How many more people should die before the entire international community takes action to hold “Israel” responsible for its ongoing crimes against humanity? (Amnesty, 2022).
The international community must put pressure on “Israel” to address the underlying causes of the new outbreak of violence, which include long-standing impunity for war crimes and other significant violations of international law, as well as forceful displacement and expropriation of Palestinians.
*The writer is a researcher and analyst.
July 7, 2022
The viewpoints expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions, viewpoints and editorial policies of Aequitas Review.
