Sabeel-Kairos joins other organisations to express deep disappointment at the UKs abstention on the UNGA resolution supporting the ICJ Advisory Opinion

Along with 14 other UK NGOs we are deeply disappointed by the UK Government’s decision not to align with the majority of its international counterparts by supporting this historic resolution to uphold international law.

Press release: 18 September 2024

As a collective voice of UK humanitarian, development, human rights, and faith-based agencies working in and on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, we welcome the passing of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution endorsing the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on the ‘Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem’. The vote passed with 124 votes in favour, 43 abstentions, including the UK, and 14 against. We are deeply disappointed by the UK Government’s decision not to align with the majority of its international counterparts by supporting this historic resolution to uphold international law.

On July 19, 2024, two months ago today, The ICJ unequivocally concluded that Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory is illegal and must be brought to an end. It also emphasised the legal responsibility of third states to act in ensuring the end of Israel’s unlawful occupation. The UNGA resolution outlined clear steps toward advancing this goal, including ending Israel’s settlements. However, the UK’s stance reveals a stark contrast between rhetoric and action. Despite stating that Israel should swiftly end its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the UK failed to back the UNGA resolution that sought to implement the ICJ’s recommendations towards that goal.

The UK missed an opportunity to join international efforts aimed at collectively ending the illegal settlement expansion and settler violence, despite the growing need for coordinated action. In 2024, settlement expansion and settler violence has intensified with a rise in Palestinian fatalities, displacement, and widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure as the Israeli military and settlers escalate military operations and unlawful demolitions. While the UK voiced concern on the illegal settlements and rising settler violence in the West Bank, these concerns are not met with actions that adequately address the overwhelming humanitarian and human rights crisis faced by Palestinians.

While the UK cannot reverse its vote, the UK Government must step up and take decisive action to ensure the implementation of this resolution. As demanded by the ICJ, the UK must ensure that they do not recognise as lawful, nor aid or assist, the situation created by Israel’s unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian territory. We urge the UK Government to undertake a thorough review of its policy in relation to Israel, ensuring that its actions are fully aligned with its international obligations and effectively address Israel’s internationally wrongful acts. The UK must fully comply with its related obligation under international law to cooperate to lawfully bring this illegal situation to an end.

Signed:

• Action Aid UK
• Action For Humanity
• Amos Trust
• CAFOD
• CARE international UK
• Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu)
• Embrace the Middle East
• Gender Action for Peace and Security (Secretariat)
• Global Justice Now
• Islamic Relief UK
• Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)
• Sabeel-Kairos UK
• Saferworld
• Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF)
• Welfare Association

17 September, 2024.

Today we have joined 14 other development, humanitarian and human rights agencies working in or on Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory to urge the UK Government to support the vote due to happen tomorrow at the UN General Assembly to implement the ICJ advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territory.

Here is the full letter and signatories:

UK NGOs Call on the UK Government to Support UN Resolution on ICJ Advisory Opinion and Take Immediate Action to Uphold International Law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

As a collective voice of UK humanitarian, development, human rights and faith-based agencies working in and on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, we strongly urge the UK Government to vote in favour of the UN General Assembly resolution that supports the ICJ Advisory Opinion on  the ‘Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem’ and demands concrete measures to uphold international law, especially in implementing accountability for ongoing violations in Gaza and the West Bank. 

We urge the UK Government to immediately implement all obligations as set out in the ICJ Advisory Opinion in full, including by ensuring the UK is not rendering aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  We urge the UK Government to immediately suspend all UK arms exports to Israel, which risk fueling violations of international law and atrocity crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. We ask the UK Government to strongly condemn Israel’s aid obstruction and humanitarian violations, and to enforce an immediate ceasefire at the UN Security Council.

Signed:

• Action For Humanity
• Amos Trust
• Caabu
• CAFOD
• Care International UK
• Embrace the Middle East
• Humanity & Inclusion UK
• Interpal
• Islamic Relief UK
• Medical Aid for Palestinians
• Oxfam GB
• Quakers in Britain
• Sabeel-Kairos UK
• War on Want
• Welfare Association

You can download a copy of the letter here: UK NGOs Call on the UK Government to Support UN Resolution on ICJ Advisory Opinion