The Hague Group Announces Coordinated International Action Vs. Israeli Genocide

July 17—In its “Joint Statement on the Conclusion of the Emergency Conference on Palestine” July 16, The Hague Group, that just concluded its conference in Bogotá, Colombia, announced six “coordinated diplomatic, legal and economic measures” its member nations are committed to enacting “to restrain Israel’s assault on the Occupied Palestinian Territories and defend international law at large.” The Joint Statement indicates that the just-concluded July 15-16 Bogotá conference aimed at “strengthening our collective resolve by creating a unified international voice and implementing our international obligation in regard to the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.” The statement points to the enormous loss of life in the Occupied Territories, the “obstruction of humanitarian aid,” and “deliberate, indiscriminate violence and collective punishment” deployed against Gaza’s “starving population.”

Representatives of 30 states from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America attended the conference, cohosted by Colombia and South Africa. Of those, 12 states from across the world—Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Indonesia, Iraq, Libya, Malaysia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Oman, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and South Africa—committed to taking immediate action to implement the six measures agreed upon. As explained in the final declaration, they will use their domestic legal and administrative systems “to break the ties of complicity with Israel’s campaign of devastation in Palestine.” The date of Sept. 20, which coincides with the meeting of the 80th UN General Assembly, was agreed on as the date by which additional states may join them. “Consultations with capitals across the world are now ongoing,” the conference press release reports.

In presenting the six measures, the Joint Statement emphasizes that the member states are “united in our conviction that coordinated action at national and international levels is urgent and imperative to protect the Charter of the United Nations to uphold obligations under international law, and to promote a just and lasting peace across the world, as well as ending the illegal occupation of Palestine and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination.” The six measures are as follows:

1. Prevent the provision or transfer or arms, munitions, military fuel, related military equipment and dual-use items to Israel … to ensure our industry does not contribute the tools to enable or facilitate genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity….
2. Prevent the transit, docking and servicing of vessels at any port, if applicable, within our territorial jurisdiction, while being fully compliant with applicable international law….
3. Prevent the carriage of arms, munitions, military fuel, related military equipment and dual-use items to Israel on vessels bearing our flag … and ensure full accountability….
4. Commence an urgent review of all public contracts, to prevent public institutions and funds from supporting Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territory….
5. Comply with obligations to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes under international law, through robust, impartial and independent investigations and prosecutions at national or international levels….
6. Support universal jurisdiction mandates as and where applicable in national legal frameworks and judiciaries, to ensure justice for victims of international crimes committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese commented on the momentous steps taken by the 12 nations involved. “The clock is now ticking for states—from Europe to the Arab world and beyond—to join them,” she said.