Fueled by decades of occupation, systemic discrimination and settler colonialism, the current escalation was triggered by Israel’s continued measures to forcibly displace and transfer Palestinians from occupied East Jerusalem as is the case in the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah. This is combined with the excessive use of force by Israeli forces against Palestinians like Sheikh Jarrah residents Muna and Muhammad Al-Kurd who have been peacefully protesting, along with other members of the community and activists, against illegal eviction orders to forcibly transfer them from their homes. Israeli forces have also used excessive force during the holy month of Ramadan against thousands of Palestinians seeking to pray in the Al-Aqsa mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem.
We stand in solidarity with Palestinian human rights defenders advocating for the rights to self-determination and non-discrimination, to land and protection against forcible displacement, and for an end to and accountability for Israel’s crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution. We call on the ICC to include in its ‘investigation of the situation of Palestine’ the forcible displacements from occupied Palestinian territory and possible war crimes in the Gaza Strip in offensives that systematically target, kill and injure civilians – as well as destroy their property and infrastructure.
We equally stand in solidarity with Israeli human rights defenders demanding that Israeli authorities respect international law, end systemic discrimination and inequality, withdraw from Palestinian territories, ensure that any use of force is strictly necessary and proportionate, and guarantee the rights of Palestinians to live with freedom, dignity and peace.
ISHR will work together with other civil society organisations to ensure that this situation is considered by the UN Human Rights Council, informed by the voices and demands of human rights defenders from the region.
