A Joint Statement by 48 Human Rights Organizations from Eight Arab Countries The undersigned Arab human rights organizations call on permanent member states of the United Nations Security Council and member states of the League of Arab States to take immediate action to prevent the situation in Gaza from developing into the crime of genocide against Palestinian civilians. The undersigned organizations urge these countries to assume their legal and political responsibility, and urgently submit to the Security Council a draft resolution within the framework of Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, immediately secure safe humanitarian passages to deliver vital aid, and put an end to Israel’s use of starvation as a tactic of war. The outbreak of the bloody events in Israel and Palestine began on 7 October 2023. American President Joe Biden, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have made numerous irresponsible political statements affirming Israel’s absolute right, unconditional to respecting international law, to defend itself in response to Hamas attacks. Biden, Macron and Sunak have not prioritized the protection of civilians, as required by international humanitarian law and the laws of war. They have further disregarded the principles of proportionality and distinction, which are applied in armed conflicts to limit harm and damage to the civilian population and civilian infrastructure as a result of military operations, and must be taken into consideration before directing military strikes. Some of these countries have materially reinforced their irresponsible political statements by sending war fleets, even after the occupation army began its retaliatory operations, directing its military strikes against Palestinian civilians, and United Nations schools, hospitals and shelters in violation of all
