GENEVA, Friday, October 27, 2023 (WAFA) - Alarmed by the scale of violence and the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the occupied Gaza Strip, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) today urged for the development and implementation of an immediate and complete ceasefire, and the provision of all necessary financial and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip.
The Committee also called on Israel to firmly condemn and combat the spread of inflammatory racist hate speech, including by politicians and public figures. “Highly concerned about the sharp increase in racist hate speech and dehumanization directed at Palestinians since 7 October, particularly on the Internet and in social media, including by senior officials, politicians, members of the Parliament, and public figures, particularly the statement of 9 October made by the Israeli Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, in which he referred to Palestinians as ‘human animals’, language which could incite genocidal actions.”
It called upon Israel to firmly condemn any form of hate speech and distance itself from racist hate speech expressed by politicians and public figures, including members of the government and parliament, and ensure that such acts are investigated and adequately and robustly punished.
It further called upon Israel to combat the spread of racist hate speech in the media, on the Internet and in social media, in close cooperation with media outlets, Internet service providers and social media platforms as well as members of groups vulnerable to racist hate speech.
In a statement adopted today under its early warning and urgent action procedures, the Committee called upon Israel to fully respect its international obligations, particularly those under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which Israel ratified in 1979.
The committee said it was deeply shocked also about the ongoing Israeli indiscriminate and brutal military attacks in Gaza Strip, particularly the airstrikes, leading to the killing of more than 7,000 Palestinians, including at least 2,900 children, and the injuries of more than 18,400 since 7 October 2023, as well as to over 1,600 people, including 900 children, reportedly being trapped under rubble in Gaza and to the destruction of tens of thousands of homes.
It further expressed alarm by the decision of Israel on 9 October to further tighten the ongoing and long-standing blockade of the occupied Gaza Strip and to withhold essential supplies such as food, water, electricity, energy sources and supplies and medicines, which amounts to a form of collective punishment against the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza Strip.
The committee also expressed grave concern about the Israeli decision of 12 October ordering 1.1 million Palestinians in north Gaza to relocate to southern Gaza within 24 hours, including those sheltered in UN facilities. “Deeply concerned about the longstanding Israeli military occupation of Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem and the Israeli policies and practices, including illegal settlements, in the Occupied Palestinian Territories that amount to violations of the Convention and of other international human rights obligations.”
It further urged Israel to ensure that all Palestinians under its effective control, particularly those in the Gaza Strip, enjoy full rights under the Convention without discrimination especially their right to life and security of person, as well as their right to medical care and right to freedom of movement.
The committee said it is concerned about the increase in unlawful use of lethal force by the Israeli forces and increase in settler violence, leading to the killing of at least 103 Palestinians, including at least 32 children.
It called upon Israel to fully respect its international obligations, in particular those arising from the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
T.R.
