UN report on Israel’s genocidal gender-based violence demands urgent action to protect Palestinians – Genocide Watch

Report on Violations of Sustainable Development Goals in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

1.0 Introduction

This report analyzes the findings of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) and Amnesty International regarding actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel. The analysis focuses on the severe implications of these actions for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health, gender equality, and justice.

2.0 Key Findings and SDG Implications

The COI report, supported by Amnesty International’s research, documents actions that fundamentally undermine the global commitment to the SDGs.

1. Systematic Gender-Based Violence: The COI concluded that sexual, reproductive, and other forms of gender-based violence have been systematically used against Palestinians.
   • This constitutes a direct violation of SDG 5 (Gender Equality), which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
   • It also contravenes SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by inflicting physical and mental harm and perpetuating a cycle of violence.
2. Destruction of Health Infrastructure: The report highlights the destruction of women’s healthcare and reproductive health facilities.
   • This action directly obstructs the achievement of SDG 3, particularly target 3.7 regarding universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services.
   • The damage to life-sustaining infrastructure is also a setback for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
3. Denial of Humanitarian Access: The blocking of access to reproductive healthcare and general humanitarian aid has exacerbated a catastrophic humanitarian situation.
   • This policy deliberately inflicts conditions of life calculated to bring about physical destruction, undermining the foundational principles of all SDGs, especially SDG 3 and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

3.0 Detailed Impact on Specific Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • The deliberate targeting of medical facilities, including maternity wards and clinics, has crippled the healthcare system.
  • Tens of thousands of women and girls have been killed or seriously injured, representing a catastrophic loss of life and well-being.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
  • Palestinian women and girls have been subjected to gendered forms of bodily and mental harm.
  • The use of sexual violence in detention centers against Palestinians of all genders has been reported as a method of oppression.
  • The destruction of shelters for women and girls has left them exposed to increased risks of gender-based violence.
• SDG 6 & 11: Clean Water, Sanitation, and Sustainable Communities
  • The destruction of homes and infrastructure has forced hundreds of thousands of women and girls into dire living conditions in tents and crowded schools.
  • Scarce access to clean water has precipitated a hygiene crisis, directly impeding progress on SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • The documented acts, including indiscriminate attacks and killings, are identified as war crimes and potential acts of genocide, representing a total failure of peace and justice.
  • The long-standing impunity for violations against Palestinians undermines the core objective of SDG 16 to ensure equal access to justice for all and build effective, accountable institutions.

4.0 Recommendations for Upholding International Law and the SDGs

Urgent international action is required to address the ongoing violations and restore progress toward the SDGs. The following measures are critical:

1. Establish a long-lasting ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and destruction.
2. Lift the siege on the Gaza Strip to allow for the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, a prerequisite for achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3.
3. Initiate urgent measures to repair hospitals, clinics, and sanitation facilities to restore access to essential services, in line with SDG 3, SDG 6, and SDG 11.
4. Restore the electricity supply and support the work of humanitarian agencies like UNRWA, whose functions are vital for addressing the needs of women and girls.
5. The international community must act to end impunity and ensure justice and accountability for all violations of international law, thereby reinforcing the principles of SDG 16.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article directly addresses health by highlighting the destruction of healthcare infrastructure and the denial of access to essential health services. It states that Israel carried out “genocidal acts” by “destroying women’s healthcare and reproductive health facilities and blocking access to reproductive healthcare.” It also mentions the “damage and destruction of… medical facilities including maternity wards, maternal care clinics.”
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • This goal is central to the article, which focuses on a report concluding that Israel has “systematically used sexual, reproductive and other gender-based violence against Palestinians.” The article emphasizes the use of gender-based violence “to oppress Palestinian women and girls” and “sexual violence to perpetuate oppression on Palestinians of all genders.”
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article points to a severe lack of basic services, stating that women and girls have “scarce access to clean water contributing to a hygiene crisis.” It also calls for urgent measures to “repair hospitals, clinics and sanitation facilities,” indicating that sanitation infrastructure has been compromised.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article describes the widespread destruction of housing and infrastructure, which are key components of this SDG. It mentions the “damage and destruction of homes” and “life-sustaining infrastructure,” leading to a situation where “hundreds of thousands of women and girls continue to live in dire conditions in tents or crowded schools.”
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • This goal is addressed through the article’s focus on violence, conflict, and the lack of justice. It discusses “genocidal acts,” “killings,” “causing serious bodily or mental harm,” “torture and sexual violence while in detention,” and “indiscriminate attacks resulting in mass civilian casualties.” The call to end “decades long impunity” and “ensure justice is a reality for all Palestinians” directly relates to the principles of this goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • Target 3.7: “By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services.” The article explicitly states that Israel is “blocking access to reproductive healthcare” and destroying “women’s healthcare and reproductive health facilities,” which is a direct contravention of this target.
   • Target 3.8: “Achieve universal health coverage.” The destruction of “medical facilities including maternity wards, maternal care clinics” and the overall collapse of the healthcare system described in the article demonstrate a complete failure to provide universal health coverage for the affected population.
2. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Target 5.1: “End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.” The article describes the use of gender-based violence as a tool “to oppress Palestinian women and girls,” which is an extreme form of discrimination.
   • Target 5.2: “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.” The core issue discussed is the systematic use of “sexual, reproductive and other gender-based violence against Palestinians” and “torture and sexual violence while in detention,” directly addressing the violence this target aims to eliminate.
   • Target 5.6: “Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.” This target is linked to the destruction of “reproductive health facilities” and the blocking of access to such care, as mentioned in the article.
3. Under SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation):
   • Target 6.1: “By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.” The article’s mention of “scarce access to clean water” indicates that this target is not being met for the Palestinian population in Gaza.
   • Target 6.2: “By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all.” The reference to a “hygiene crisis” and the need to “repair… sanitation facilities” shows a critical failure in meeting this target.
4. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.1: “By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.” The “damage and destruction of homes” and the fact that hundreds of thousands are living “in dire conditions in tents or crowded schools” directly relates to the failure to provide adequate and safe housing.
5. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The article details “killings,” “indiscriminate attacks resulting in mass civilian casualties,” and the death and injury of “tens of thousands of women and girls,” which is the opposite of reducing violence.
   • Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The article’s call to end “decades long impunity” and “ensure justice is a reality for all Palestinians” highlights the absence of rule of law and access to justice for the victims.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • An implied indicator is the number and operational status of healthcare facilities. The article’s references to the “destruction of… medical facilities including maternity wards, maternal care clinics” suggest that tracking the number of functional versus destroyed facilities would be a key measure of access to healthcare (relevant to Targets 3.7 and 3.8).
2. For SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • A key indicator is the prevalence of gender-based violence. The article refers to reports of “systematic” use of “sexual, reproductive and other gender-based violence” and “torture and sexual violence.” Documenting and verifying these reported incidents would serve as a direct indicator for Target 5.2.
3. For SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation):
   • The article implies indicators related to the proportion of the population with access to basic services. The statement about “scarce access to clean water” and the existence of a “hygiene crisis” points to the need to measure the percentage of people who can access safe drinking water and sanitation facilities (relevant to Targets 6.1 and 6.2).
4. For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Indicators are implied through the description of housing conditions. The number of destroyed homes and the number of people displaced into inadequate shelters (“hundreds of thousands of women and girls… live in dire conditions in tents or crowded schools”) are direct measures of the lack of adequate housing (relevant to Target 11.1).
5. For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • The article provides a direct indicator for violence levels. The mention of “killing and seriously injuring tens of thousands of women and girls” and “mass civilian casualties” serves as a stark indicator of conflict-related deaths and injuries (relevant to Target 16.1).
   • Another implied indicator is the number of human rights violations that are investigated and prosecuted. The reference to “decades long impunity” suggests that this number is currently zero or near-zero, indicating a lack of access to justice (relevant to Target 16.3).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: genocidewatch.com