From Gaza to the West Bank: The Expanding Genocide, the Eradication of Palestine Cause, and the Defiance of International Justice | What Is Happening, Where Does the International Community Stand, and What Protection Measures Are Needed for Palestinians?
Jurists for Palestine Forum – Season 3 – Panel Discussion (3)
Online via Zoom and Live on YouTube
Main Information:
- Date: Friday, 28 February 2025.
- Time: 18:00 – 19:30 (Geneva time) || 19:00 – 20:30 (Jerusalem time)
- Location: Online via Zoom and Live on YouTube.
- Language: The webinar will be conducted in English. Simultaneous translation into Arabic will be available.
- Registration is required: You can register here.
Background
In the immediate aftermath of a long overdue ceasefire, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), including Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, remains dire. Violations continue to escalate amid a broader climate in which Israel, with the backing of its main ally, the United States, appears intent on erasing the Palestinian cause and permanently dispossessing the Indigenous Palestinian people of their land.
The recent Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank have raised alarm regarding the expansion of Israel’s genocidal tactics, primarily evident in the scale of destruction and forced displacement of Palestinians. Israeli forces launched a large-scale operation in Jenin on 21 January which later extended to Tubas and Tulkarm, killing 51 Palestinians. Between 1 January 2023 and 17 February 2024, OCHA documented the displacement of 2,278 Palestinians, including 1,085 children, across the West Bank, citing heightened settler violence and access restrictions.
The international legal framework including the ICJ Advisory Opinion and recent UNGA resolutions, underscores the obligations of Israel as the occupying power, the United Nations and third states to respect the Palestinian rights and to collectively act towards ending Israel’s unlawful occupation. Israel continues to defy these obligations, along with its failure to implement other provisional measures ordered by the ICJ, including facilitating the work of the UN. Instead, it attacks international bodies, such as the International Criminal Court for issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials, withdraws from the Human Rights Council, and enforces a ban on the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), which took effect in late January. Additionally, both the Israeli prime minister and the US president have continued to call for the mass displacement of Palestinians, a move widely rejected by the international community.
In light of this, the international community has a responsibility to halt these colonial assaults and uphold the human rights of Palestinians. Independent human rights experts and Arab League have repeatedly called for an international protective presence. The newly formed Hague Group has committed to taking effective measures to end Israel’s occupation, including through a collective arms embargo. Additionally, a Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions -tasked by the UN- will address the protection of civilians in the oPt, while a Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution has also been established.
In light of this, Law for Palestine, in collaboration with the Independent Commission for Human Rights and Community Action Center, is organising this critical panel discussion to explore:
- The current situation in the oPt, highlighting the genocidal tactics extending from Gaza to the West Bank, including calls for the mass forced displacement of Palestinians.
- The blatant disregard for international justice and UN agencies, including the ban on UNRWA.
- Legal avenues to challenge annexation and forced displacement plans and safeguard Palestinian rights. The discussion will examine potential protection measures can be put in place for Palestinians, including the possibility of peacekeeping forces. We’ll explore the legal foundations, historical precedents from other conflicts, and practical mechanisms for implementation, with a focus on the role of the UN, third states, regional bodies, and grassroots movements. Genocide International Justice Palestine
The discussion will provide actionable insights into addressing these critical issues with input from experts in law, legal practitioners, UN experts, and Palestinian voices on the ground.
Speakers:
- Dr. Ammar Dwaik: Director General of the ICHR.
- John B. Quigley: Professor of law at the Moritz College of Law, Ohio State University
- Francesca Albanese: Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967.
- Susan Akram: Clinical professor at Boston University School of Law where she teaches international human rights, and refugee and immigration law.
- Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla: Co-General Coordinator of Progressive International, Acting Chair of The Hague Group for Palestine.
- Mel Duncan: Founding director of Nonviolent Peaceforce.
Moderator:
- Munir Nuseibah: Director of the Community Action Center – Jerusalem and member of BOT, Law for Palestine
To participate in this discussion, you need to register here, click
* The event will also be broadcast live on YouTube.
