34 UN states are participating in a session of the Hague Group, which will propose dramatic new measures against Israel in the midst of Gaza genocide. The organization conveners, South Africa and Colombia, released this statement. The NGO is a “global bloc of states committed to coordinated legal and diplomatic measures in defense of international law and solidarity with…Palestine.” Though eight states were the founding members, this session has drawn many others due to their indignation against Israel’s crimes.
These are sanctions the group is proposing:
Prevent military and dual-use exports to IsraelRefuse Israeli weapons shipments at portsPrevent vessels carrying weapons to Israel under their national flagsReview all public contracts to prevent public institutions and funds from supporting Israel’s illegal occupationPursue justice for international crimes and support universal jurisdiction to hold perpetrators accountableHalt military procurement from IsraelDivest public institutions from complicit companiesInstitute an energy embargo
These are the first such comprehensive policies by any nation. Though others have made statements declaring their opposition, summoned their ambassadors, or restricted shipments of offensive weapons–none have acted aggressively with concrete acts which affect Israel militarily and economically.
The states participating in this effort:
Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Comoros, Cuba, Djibouti, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Hague Group announcement of Gaza meeting
Though most major European states are not participating, Ireland, Slovenia, and Norway will be there. Several Arab-Muslim countries will also join, most notably Saudi Arabia. It sponsored a recent UN meeting which sought to revive support for the two-state solution. It is noteworthy that it will join this event, which offers much more powerful sanctions against Israel. It appears it is hedging its bets by both sponsoring the two-state effort and signaling its interest in a policy which would be far more damaging to Israeli interests.
These proposals represent an escalation in pressure on Israel. Though they will certainly have some impact on Israel’s mass slaughter, they are not a be-all or end-all. Nations must consider what further steps they might take if it balks. There is a nuclear option which should be on the table: a Uniting for Peace General Assembly resolution.
Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, permits military intervention in conflicts which violate its provisions. The General Assembly resolution, Uniting for Peace, provides for “collective measures [including] the use of armed force when necessary, to maintain or restore international peace and security.” Despite its flagrant disregard for international law, even proposing such a resolution let along implementing it, would shake Israel’s resolve. Instead of shaking its fist in defiance, it would have to recognize the damaging impact it would have on its economy, military capabilities, and international relations.
In addition, such a resolution would pressure the US into reconsidering its blanket support for Israel. While Trump may defy international consensus, the American people along with the Democratic Party, are more aware and sensitive to the prospect of global pariah status. A future Democratic president may feel moved to join in the Hague Group initiative, in whole or in part. This would shake Israel’s resolve and force it to reconsider its policies.
The UN and all international bodies like the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice have failed in their responses to this calamity. Israel has defied inviolable principles on which the global order is based, including the rule of law, Geneva Convention, respect for territorial sovereignty, democracy and human rights. Nation states must act decisively or they risk destroying a century’s worth of a carefully-constructed global consensus around these issues. The result would be chaos and mass violence on a world-wide scale.
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