The tipping point in the Middle East has been passed.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz recently published an article by Michael Sfard entitled: “What was I doing while Israel was killing civilians in Gaza?” It is an intensely moving account of the reflections of an Israeli living with his family within range of the sound of the bombs falling on Gaza. He wonders how so many of his compatriots enjoying their morning coffee can be indifferent to the horrendous suffering being inflicted by their very own military forces on defenceless children and their families just a few miles away.
Michael Sfard’s article should be read by everybody, including, most importantly, US President Joe Biden, President-elect Donald Trump, the leaders of other countries providing military supplies to Israel and the leaders of the current members of the Security Council, including especially the permanent members, China, France, Russia, the UK and the US. Between them, they can and they must stop the madness now.
On the same day, the Israeli parliament passed two bills which essentially strip UNRWA of its ability to operate in the occupied Palestinian territory, a decision that can legitimately be taken only by the body that created UNRWA, the United Nations.
The overwhelming feeling among friends, family and supporters of UAI is one of utter powerlessness and guilt at the slaughter, which is being facilitated by the inaction of our governments and the international organizations that they founded to represent their interests.
Not only are Palestinian and Lebanese families being subjected to unrelenting and indiscriminate killing, but the impunity that the current government of Israel is enjoying sends an unmistakable message to tyrants and warlords around the world: The rules are no longer being applied. Those who breach them will not be held to account.
In addition, the overwhelming attention being given by politicians and the media to the situations in Gaza and Lebanon has deprived of oxygen efforts to address equally appalling crises in other places. In countries such as Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Myanmar, and even Ukraine, diplomatic initiatives to resolve the conflicts have stalled, consigning millions of people to lives of unrelenting misery.
Noting the continuing failure of the UN Security Council to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, UAI requests the UN General Assembly to hold an Emergency Special Session – following precedents set under Resolution 377 (V) “Uniting for Peace” of 3 November 1950 on Korea, and later similar resolutions – to deliver to the Prime Minister of Israel the message that all military action by its forces in Gaza and Lebanon must cease with immediate effect and failing that, precise actions shall follow. These should include:
- An end to all shipments of arms, military equipment and spare parts, fuel for military purposes, data and intelligence-sharing, and other forms of military cooperation
- The suspension of economic, commercial and cultural cooperation
- The withdrawal of Ambassadors from Israel and expulsion of Israeli Ambassadors from the countries where they are serving
- The suspension of Israel from the United Nations General Assembly
- The use of universal jurisdiction to arrest and prosecute Israeli leaders who travel outside the country.
While governments hold the primary responsibility, parliamentarians, by their collective silence, also provide comfort to the perpetrators of the crimes being committed against children and their families in the occupied Palestinian territory and Lebanon. UAI calls on parliamentarians in all UN member states to demand that their governments support this call for an immediate halt to Israel’s military operations.
Since the horrendous attacks on 7 October 2023, UAI has supported partner organizations in their calls for ceasefires, the release of hostages, increased deliveries of humanitarian aid and holding to account and appropriate sanctioning of all those accused of perpetrating war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Impunity for such crimes can never be tolerated.
As previous calls have gone unanswered, UAI is compelled to call on all those sharing our views to make them known to their parliamentary representatives urging them to take immediate action, and invite friends and family to do the same.
Silence is consent to violence.
United Against Inhumanity (UAI) is an international association of individuals who, alongside partner civil society organizations, challenge atrocities in war and asylum settings. UAI campaigns for an end to the brutal policies and practices that dehumanize, and threaten the survival of fellow human beings. For more information: www.against-inhumanity.org
