UN body calls for Israel to be held accountable for possible war crimes
UN body calls for Israel to be held accountable for possible war crimes The Guardian
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The UN Human Rights Council Adopts Resolution Holding Israel Accountable for Possible War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity in Gaza
The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has adopted a resolution calling for Israel to be held accountable for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Gaza Strip. This resolution aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
Resolution Highlights
- The resolution emphasizes the need to ensure accountability for all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in order to end impunity.
- It expresses grave concern at reports of serious human rights violations and grave breaches of international humanitarian law, including possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The vote on the resolution saw 28 countries in favor, 13 abstentions, and six against, including the US and Germany. The adoption of this resolution marks another step in the global efforts to address the situation in Gaza and hold Israel accountable for its actions.
US Pressure and Opening of New Food Corridors
The resolution came as Israel succumbed to unprecedented pressure from the US and opened new food corridors into Gaza. This development is a result of a phone call between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where Biden warned of a change in US policy towards Gaza if Israel did not alter its approach to aid supply.
International Efforts for Peace
The international community, including the EU and the US, is actively engaged in efforts to bring about a ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The EU head of foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, has highlighted the need for additional measures to prevent starvation in Gaza.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that specific metrics will be used to assess Israel’s compliance with demands, including the number of trucks entering Gaza and accountability for the recent Israeli strike on the World Central Kitchen aid convoy.
Challenges and Diplomatic Pressure
Hamas has been demanding the return of displaced residents of northern Gaza to their homes, but a major obstacle to reaching a deal is Hamas’s insistence on a total ceasefire as a precondition. Talks between the two sides have been deadlocked, with accusations of intransigence.
The recent attack on the aid convoy has further intensified diplomatic pressure on Israel. The Biden administration, under domestic and international scrutiny, has taken a tougher stance towards Israel, with growing concerns among Democratic voters.
US-Israel Relations
The US holds significant influence over Israel, particularly in terms of military support. While details of the Biden-Netanyahu phone call have not been fully disclosed, it is clear that the US is considering the level of military assistance provided to Israel. The UK has also conveyed a similar message.
Israel’s security cabinet approved the opening of new aid routes following the phone call, despite objections from right-wing members. However, Netanyahu faces a dilemma as his objective of total victory requires targeting Hamas hideouts in Rafah, where displaced Palestinian refugees have sought shelter. The US is not willing to support an attack on Rafah, leaving Netanyahu without a clear path to victory.
Conclusion
The adoption of the UNHRC resolution and the international efforts for peace reflect the commitment to the SDGs, particularly Goal 16. The situation in Gaza remains a complex challenge, but with continued diplomatic pressure and accountability, progress can be made towards sustainable peace and justice.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
The article discusses the UN human rights council’s resolution calling for Israel to be held accountable for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Gaza Strip. This addresses the issue of peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16). Additionally, the article mentions the opening of new food corridors into Gaza, highlighting the issues of good health and well-being (SDG 3) and zero hunger (SDG 2).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
- Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
- Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice (Target 16.3), achieving universal health coverage and access to quality healthcare services (Target 3.8), and ending hunger and ensuring access to safe and nutritious food (Target 2.1).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for Target 16.3: Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance the rule of law and access to justice for all.
- Indicator for Target 3.8: Proportion of the population with access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines.
- Indicator for Target 2.1: Prevalence of undernourishment and the proportion of the population below the minimum level of dietary energy consumption.
The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, possible indicators that can be used to measure progress are the number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance the rule of law and access to justice (Indicator for Target 16.3), the proportion of the population with access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines (Indicator for Target 3.8), and the prevalence of undernourishment and the proportion of the population below the minimum level of dietary energy consumption (Indicator for Target 2.1).
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance the rule of law and access to justice for all. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. | Proportion of the population with access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines. |
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round. | Prevalence of undernourishment and the proportion of the population below the minimum level of dietary energy consumption. |
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Source: theguardian.com
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