In a crucial panel discussion organized by The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) at the United Nations in New York on December 12, 2023, Law for Palestine underscored the pressing need for immediate action to prevent the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Chaired by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations, Tata Nasir, the discussion titled “2023 War on Gaza: The Responsibility to Prevent Genocide” convened experts to shed light on the dire situation in Gaza.
Among the key speakers was Hannah Bruinsma, a legal researcher at Law for Palestine. Her intervention focused on the legal analysis of the crime of genocide, including both the actus reus and mens rea aspects of the crime. Highlighting the extensive database created by Law for Palestine, that consists of over 500 statements that demonstrate genocidal intent, often from those in the command line. Bruinsma’s call to action for the 152 states that have signed the genocide convention was a crucial moment, emphasizing the collective responsibility to act against such atrocities.
Dr. Raz Segal, Associate Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies, provided an enlightening contribution, delving into the normalization of genocidal language within Israel’s command structures. This chilling insight laid bare the psychological underpinnings fueling the crisis.
Jehad Abusalim, the Executive Director of the Jerusalem Fund, shared poignant personal experiences of life in Gaza, adding a deeply human dimension to the discussion. His account of losing close friends and the suffering endured by his family highlighted the real lives impacted by the ongoing Genocide.
Katherine Gallagher, Senior Staff Attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights, powerfully underscored the complicity of states in the Crime of Genocide. Her emphasis on the urgency for state action resonated as a clarion call, stressing that inaction in the face of such crimes is indefensible.
The panel discussion coincided with a pivotal moment at the UN, as the General Assembly, during an emergency session, voted overwhelmingly in favor of an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. This development underscored the urgency and relevance of the panel’s message.
For those who missed the event, the full recording is available here – click
